Comparison of the relationship of academic success to self-concept, social acceptance and perceived social acceptance for hearing, hard of hearing and deaf adolescents in a mainstream setting.

Abstract

This study investigated three constructs hypothesized to contribute to deaf and hard of hearing students' success in mainstream settings: self-concept, social acceptance, and perceived social acceptance. Twenty-five hearing, five deaf, and five hard of hearing junior high school students participated in this study. Students completed three measures: Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Form A (Adapted), Peer Rating Scale, and Student Activity Questionnaire (Adapted). The results indicated that hard of hearing and deaf students' self-concepts and their perceptions of their social acceptance were not significantly different from their hearing peers' self-evaluations. Hard of hearing and deaf students' self-concepts were found to be inversely related to the peer acceptance rating they received from their hard of hearing and deaf peers. The best predictor of academic success for hard of hearing and deaf students was the peer acceptance rating they received from hearing students. Consequently, hard of hearing and deaf students' success in a mainstream program may be influenced by their social acceptance among hearing peers. Recommendations for increasing social acceptance in the mainstream setting were presented.