PERCEPTION OF SELF AND OTHER: SIBLINGS OF RETARDED AND NORMAL CHILDREN

Abstract

This study investigated the differences between siblings of retarded and normal children in self concept of ability, social self concept and perceptions of parental behavior. This research further examined the differences between brothers and sisters of retarded children on these variables. In addition, an attempt was made to determine which of the variables; perception of parental behavior, sex of subject or presence or absence of a retarded sibling would be most strongly related to self concept.;Fifteen siblings of retarded and fifteen siblings of normal children participated in this research. All of the participants were between the ages of eleven and thirteen and all came from intact families.;Subjects were individually administered the Self Social Symbols Tasks, The Michigan State General Self Concept of Ability Scale, the Bronfenbrenner Parent Behavior Questionnaire, the Vocabulary section of the WISC-R and the Modified Version of the Hollingshead Scale.;It was hypothesized that siblings of retarded children would be lower in self concept and would perceive parents as more demanding, punishing and less nurturant than siblings of normal children. The results indicated no significant differences between the two groups on these variables.;It was further hypothesized that sisters of retarded children would be lower in self concept and perceive parents as less nurturant and more punitive and demanding than brothers. The results indicated no overall differences between the two groups on these variables.;Lastly it was hypothesized that perception of parental behavior would be most strongly related to self concept, presence or absence of a retarded sibling would be second most related and sex of subject would be least strongly related to self concept. The results lent some support to this hypothesis. While few relationships proved to be significant, perception of parental behavior was the most strongly related of these variables to self concept. The other two variables were only weakly related to self concept.;The results were discussed in terms of variations within the experiences of families of retarded children and changes which have taken place in the status of retarded children and their families within the community.