Self-evaluation and social comparison amongst adolescents with learning difficulties

Two studies are presented which examine self-evaluation in adolescents with learning difficulties and how these adolescents strategically protect thei r self-concept through the use of social comparison. Study one involved 145 adolescents with learning difficulties and the same number of non-disabled adolescents aged between 11 to 16 years. All adolescents completed Harter' s 'Self Perception Profile for Children' (SPPC). No significant overall dif ferences were found between the self-evaluations of the adolescents with le arning difficulties and non-disabled adolescents. In addition, adolescents with learning difficulties strategically devalued less favourable compariso n dimensions and valued more positive comparison attributes. Study two util ized a four condition between-groups design with a sample of 68 adolescents with learning difficulties. All participants completed the SPPC, but the a vailability of a social comparison group was systematically varied between conditions. The self-evaluations made by adolescents changed significantly when the social comparison group made available was altered. The findings a re discussed with regard to their theoretical implications and in terms of inclusion policies for adolescents with learning difficulties. Copyright (C ) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.