R.M.Sobana
Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women, Chennai
B. Jishnu Deva
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai.
Pages:55-64
Adolescents with sensory impairments often face psychological and social challenges,
leading to feelings of inferiority as they struggle to adapt. This study examined the
inferiority complex psychologicaland social wellness of 120 sensory impaired
students,60 each with hearing and vision loss,30 boys and 30 girls from each disability.
Data were collected through various scales, including a self-developed inferiority complex
questionnaire and the modified DASS 21, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and SPIN scale for
psychological and social wellness. Results showed that most participants were firstborn
and had congenital impairments. Vision-impaired students reported higher inferiority
complex scores (62.50± 11.43) than those with hearing loss (59.83± 11.43). Both groups
experienced moderate depression and anxiety, with no significant difference in
depression (p=0.476). However, there were significant associations between disability
type and anxiety (p=0.062), stress (p=0.005), and loneliness (p=0.043). Vision-impaired
students had poorer psychological wellness (59.57± 3.86), while hearing-impaired
students exhibited better social wellness (51.12± 2.99). Girls with both hearing (57.06±
9.91) and vision loss (66.86± 12.14) had higher inferiority complex scores than boys.
Negative correlations between inferiority complex and psychological (“0.81**) and social
wellness (“0.64**) were stronger in girls, especially for those with vision loss. It is
recommended to create peer support, awareness, and training, along with psychological
and educational services to help them lead fulfilling lives free from mental and social
barriers