Feeling of Psychological Loneliness Among Adolescent Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Education Settings and Special Care Centers: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study examined the differences in the Feeling of Psychological Loneliness (FPL) among Adolescent Students with Disabilities (ASwD) across Inclusive Education Settings (IESs) and Special Care Centers (SCCs)in Jordan. To achieve this, an Arabic version of the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA LS) for adolescents was developed in three formats—pen and paper, sign language, and Braille—to address the needs of ASwD in IESs. After confirming the validity and reliability of the instrument, it was administered to a sample of 672 ASwD, selected through stratified cluster sampling. The findings revealed that FPL levels among ASwD in IESs were high for students with hearing disabilities, and moderate for those with visual disabilities, physical disabilities, and learning difficulties. A statistically significant difference in FPL was also observed between ASwD and their peers without disabilities, with ASwD reporting higher levels. Moreover, disability type was found to influence FPL levels, with students with hearing disabilities experiencing greater FPL than those with other disabilities. Differences based on IESs also emerged, with students in inclusive schools reporting higher FPL levels than those in SCCs, regardless of disability type (hearing, visual, or physical). Recommendations are provided.