The Self-Concept of Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing and Hearing Students

Abstract

The present study investigated the self-concept of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in different educational settings compared with those of hearing students in Ethiopia. The research involved a sample of 103 Grade 4 students selected from 7 towns in Ethiopia. They were selected from a special school for the deaf, a special class for the deaf, and a regular school. The Self-Description Questionnaire I ( Marsh, 1990 ) was used to measure the children’s self-concept. The study results indicated that, in comparison with their hearing peers, DHH students had a lower self-concept in the areas of general self, general school, reading, and parental relations. The DHH students in the special school showed a higher self-concept in regard to their physical appearance than the hearing and DHH students in the special class. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the self-concept dimensions of peer relations, mathematics, and physical abilities.