Peer victimization and its relationship to self-esteem in children with mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning in regular and special schools: An exploratory study in urban Bengaluru

Abstract

The Research in the field of mental health and educational needs of children with intellectual disabilities has increased over the years. However, the focus on milder disabilities such as mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning (MBID; intelligence quotient: 50–85) is still limited. The current study aimed at understanding peer victimization and its relationship to the self-esteem of children with MBID in regular and special schools. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design with a sample of 40 children who met the inclusion criteria. On analysis, the results showed that peer victimization was more common in regular schools (U = 51, p ≤ 0.001), wherein the peer victimization had a significant negative correlation with their self-esteem (r = −0.536, p ≤ 0.001). Overall, the findings implied the need for promotion of inclusive education in regular schools by sensitization against peer victimization of children with disabilities.