Counselling Blind-Impaired Adolescents in Their Self-Perception of Social Relationship

Abstract

A social activity scale was administered to 220 mainstreamed blind-impaired adolescents. In general, students reported participating in school activities more frequently with blind-impaired than with blind peers, but this was qualified by the extent that the students were mainstreamed. Ratings of participation with blind-impaired peers, decreased for the students who were mainstreamed for more classes, Students indicated that they were more emotionally secure with blind-impaired peers, and there was no increase in emotional security with blind peers with more mainstreaming. Responses of students who were mainstreamed for more classes suggested that they realized they had less interaction with blind-impaired peers even though this was the group with whom they were most comfortable. Although these students were surrounded with blind peers, this contact did not appear to promote identification and relational bonds with them. When there is opportunity for participation, the quality of the relationships is not necessarily positive.

Keywords: Counselling, Self perception, Social Relationship.