Self-Efficacy and Peer-Acceptance among Adolescents with Hearing Impairment in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and peer-acceptance among adolescents with hearing impairment in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State. The study adopted correlational research design. Four objectives transformed into four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study consisted 86 adolescents with hearing impairment in the area. The sample of the study was 86 adolescents with hearing impairment drawn through census sampling technique. Two instruments designed by the researcher were utilized in collecting data for the study. These instruments were titled: “General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES)” and “Peer Acceptance Scale (PAS)”. The instruments were validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The reliability of the instruments were determined using Cronbach alpha reliability method. The instruments yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.89 for General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and 0.86 for Peer Acceptance Scale (PAS). Pearson Product Moment Correlation Method was used to answer the research questions and tested the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicated that there is significant relationship between self-efficacy and peer-acceptance among adolescents with hearing impairment based on gender and parental education. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made among others that: Guidance and counselling should be introduced and made functional in special or exclusive schools, special educators should create awareness that disability is not inability, interaction between adolescent with hearing impairment and their normal counterparts should be encouraged.