The purpose of the present study was to investigate the predictive pattern of loneliness based on teacher-student interaction and perceived competence among students with and without visual impairment.
Method: The method of this research was descriptive-correlational. Statistical population involved ...
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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the predictive pattern of loneliness based on teacher-student interaction and perceived competence among students with and without visual impairment.
Method: The method of this research was descriptive-correlational. Statistical population involved all adolescents with and without visual impairment at inclusive guidance schools. Subjects were 46 guidance school students with visual impairment (25 males, 21 females) and 46 students without visual impairment (25 males, 21 females) in Shiraz. Pianta Student-Teacher Interaction Scale (PTIS), Perceived Competence Scale (PCS) and Loneliness Scale (LS) were used as measurement instruments. Factor analysis, inter-correlations between subscales, and item analysis revealed the validity of these instruments. Reliability of these instruments was assessed by the use of Cronbach alpha coefficients. Results: The results provided acceptable validity and reliability for the measuring instruments. Findings of this study revealed that all of the dimensions of perceived social competence are negatively correlated with loneliness. Multiple regression analysis showed that social competence is the most important negative predictor of loneliness. The second predictor of loneliness was teacher-student conflict which predicted loneliness positively. Findings also revealed that girls feel lonelier than boys. Furthermore, there were no significant effects of visual impairment on loneliness.
Conclusion and recommendations: Based on the findings of this study, improving social competence in students is recommended. Also, more studies need to be conducted in order to clarifying the role of teacher – student interaction in perceived competence and loneliness in inclusive education.