The Relationship between Social Skills and Behavioral Problems of Pupils with and without Learning Disabilities in Kuwait العلاقة بین المهارات الاجتماعیة والمشکلات السلوکیة للطلاب العادیین وذوى صعوبات التعلم فی الکویت

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify the level of social skills and behavioral problems, the relation connectivity between them, to detect the indication of differences between normal students and those with learning disabilities in social skills and behavioral problems. The current research used the scale of social skills, and the scale of evaluating the behavioral characteristics of those who have emotional, social or behavioral problems.The research sample included 50 normal pupils and another 50 pupils with learning disabilities. The results of the research showed that the levels of behavioral problems are ranked successively: hyperactivity, lack of concentration and alertness, decrease or weakness of self-understanding, lack of social skills, being emotional, violent behavior, withdrawal behavior and being dependent on others. On the other hand, the order of levels of social skills was as follows: cooperation, making friends, communication then being initiative. The results showed also that there is a statistically significant correlation between social skills and behavioral problems for both normal and learning disabled students. Therefore, the research recommends the importance of providing guide programs to help pupils with learning difficulties acquire social skills and decrease their behavioral problems.