Self-actualisation of learners with intellectual disabilities in the educational sphere
Authors:   Kostroma State University, Shipova Natalia S. 
Published: July 2022

Problem and purpose. Self-actualisation is a topical and socially significant subject, meeting the demands of the society and the state, oriented towards achieving every citizen’s benefit. The issue of self-actualisation of persons with atypical developmental disabilities is particularly complex and understudied. Learning is a critically important area for young people having disabilities relative to formation of adult identity and gaining basic qualification; therefore, the presented research addresses the problem of specifics of self-actualisation in people with developmental disabilities in the domain of learning. The purpose is identifying the specifics of self-actualisation in individuals with developmental disabilities in learning. Materials and methods. The sample encompasses 204 respondents and comprises two groups with different health status. The study uses the methodological tools covering a number of relevant test methods (S. Maddi’s viability test; the author’s questionnaire based on S.I. Kudinov’s Judgment test of personality self-actualisation; Lyubomirsky’s Subjective happiness scale; G. Perue-Badu’s Subjective well-being scale; K. Neff’s Self-compassion scale; Carver’s express test; Ryan & Frederick’s Subjective vitality scale) as well as interviewing by the author. The research used data processing statistical methods: descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney’s U-test, correlation and regression analysis. Results. The research revealed the lowest performance rates in self-actualisation of individuals with atypical development in the educational sphere (M=55.11; SD=20.69) relative to other spheres of self-realisation. The learners with impairment had significantly lower self-actualisation scores in learning compared to normatively developing peers (p=0.045). The authors identified certain differences in self-actualisation parameters for individuals with typical and atypical development (activity (p=0.002), internality (p=0.0002), externality (p=0.03), self-orientation (p=0.007), conservatism (p=0.009), productivity (p=0.024), destructivism (p=0.048), general motivation (p=0.017), self value (p=0.005), meaning of self-actualisation (p=0.003)). Based on the interviewing data, barriers and resources of successful self-actualisation were identified. The method of frequency analysis with subsequent ranking revealed that the barriers include own laziness (75%) and other activities, most often – entertainment (54%). The undertaken correlation analysis revealed no links between self-actualisation in learning, on the one part, and resilience and general level of happiness, on the other part. No correlation was as well revealed between academic self-actualisation, on the one part, and subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Certain correlations were found with the parameters of plaintive attitude to one’s self. The specificity of correlations depending on the learners’ health status was noted: in case of impaired development, correlation with the parameter “benevolence to one’s self” (p=0.04) was recorded, while in case of normal development – with the parameter “accord with the humanity” (p=0.04). Predictive specificity depending on the respondents’ health status was revealed. Discussion and conclusion. The research proved certain specificity of self-actualisation of individuals with atypical development in the learning sphere. Some differences in self-actualisation parameters of individuals with typical and atypical development were identified. Predictive specificity of self-actualisation in the learning sphere, depending on respondents’ health status, was revealed.