Relationship between Intellectual Functioning and Behavioural Problems among Children with Hearing Impairment

Abstract

There is a big debate about the causality of behavioural problems whether they are caused by low intelligence and other related factors or other reason are there to explain behavioural problems in children with hearing impairment. The study targeted to discover the relationship between intellectual functioning and behavioural problems among children with hearing impairment. The sample comprised of 370 hearing impaired children of age 7 to 11 years (223 males and 147 females), who were taken from Schools of Special Education from different cities of Punjab, Pakistan. Convenient Sampling Technique was used to approach the participant in their schools. Indigenous nonverbal test of intelligence (Gardezi & Riaz, 2001) and comprehensive behaviour rating scale for children (CBRSC) translated by Amara Gul (2007), (Neeper, Lahey, & frick, 1990) were used for assessment and data collection. Results showed inverse relationship between intellectual functioning and behavioural problems and further showed significantly big differences in the scores of behaviour problems in children with average and below average intellectual functioning. There was no difference in intelligence on the basis of gender. Results also exhibited that behavioural problems are significantly higher in hostilite hearing impaired children than that of day scholars. Parental education and family system differences were found to have created differences in behavioural problems.