Dyslexia, Literacy Difficulties and the Self-Perceptions of Children and Young People: a Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review investigates the links between literacy difficulties, dyslexia and the self-perceptions of children and young people (CYP). It builds on and updates Burden's (2008) review and explores how the additional factors of attributional style and the dyslexia label may contribute to CYP's self-perceptions. Nineteen papers are included and quality assessed. Quantitative papers measured the self-reported self-perceptions of CYP with literacy difficulties and/or dyslexia (LitD/D) and compared these with the CYP without LitD/D. Qualitative papers explored the lived experiences of CYP with LitD/D, including their self-views and how these were affected by receiving a dyslexia diagnosis. Results suggest that CYP with LitD/D may be at greater risk of developing negative self-perceptions of themselves as learners, but not of their overall self-worth. Factors found to be relevant in supporting positive self-perceptions include adaptive attributional styles, good relationships with peers and parents, and positive attitudes towards dyslexia and neurodiversity. In some cases, CYP with LitD/D felt that others perceived them as unintelligent or idle; for these CYP, a diagnosis led to more positive self-perceptions, as it provided an alternative picture of themselves. There is a need for further research to explore the impact of attributional style and the potential for intervention, as well as CYPs' experiences of diagnosis and the associated advantages or disadvantages.

‘I’m Dyslexic but What Does That Even Mean?’: Young People’s Experiences of Dyslexia Support Interventions in Mainstream Classrooms

“…Gunnel Ingesson (2007) found that dyslexia had a large effect on more than 70% of young people's academic outcomes; they had chosen non-academic pathways, rather focussing on practical routes. This echoes conclusions drawn by Gibby-Leversuch et al (2019); many studies found that those with dyslexia tended to view themselves poorly academically, even when their attainment was in line with their peers. Thus, where individuals have dyslexia it is likely that their position in their social network is influenced by it, through their own self-concept and by their relationships with others.…”

“…However, they did report that many young people had been bullied due to their difficulties with literacy, which had in turn negatively affected their self-esteem. However, Gibby-Leversuch et al (2019) report that young people's relationships were influenced both positively and negatively by their dyslexia. Particularly influential within relationships was how young people conceptualise their own dyslexia.…”

Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2020

“…Taking into account the target group and main difficulties -our concept -the age group starts from 16. This is a very complicated age in general (Giles, 2005a;2005b); sometimes there are identity formation problems (Giles, 2005b); sometimes -unique mental health crisis (Giles, 2005a); and especially for those who have dyslexia (Gibby-Leversuch, Hartwell & Wright, 2019;Eden et al, 2004). Some of these individuals have had a really good support system in school during the first years of education.…”

“Cerebellar Challenge” for Adolescents at Risk of School Failure: Evaluation of a School-Based “Whole Person” Intervention

“…Indeed, in his seminal article on the vicious circle he termed the Matthew Effect, Stanovich (1986) observed "Initial and specific difficulties in learning to read may result in generalized deficits in learning because of the behavioral-cognitive-motivational spinoffs from failure at such crucial tasks as learning to read" (p. 389). Unfortunately, despite early work (Geisthardt and Munsch, 1996;Alexander-Passe, 2006;Burden, 2008) there has been no systematic analysis of mental health issues in dyslexic children, though recent studies and reviews indicate that dyslexic adolescents do suffer from internalizing problems (anxiety and depression) but not necessarily lower self esteem (Boyes et al, 2018(Boyes et al, , 2020Eyre et al, 2019;Gibby-Leversuch et al, 2020).…”