Comparison of Social Interest between Normal Students and Borderline Students

Abstract

Background and Aim: Social interest is utilized to measure a person's relationship with other people. Social interest is defined as a sense of belonging and interaction with other. This study points out the differences in social interest between normal and borderline students in Mashhad city.  Methods: The present study was a causal-comparative study in nature. The statistical population of the study was borderline students studying at normal schools in Mashhad. The sample of this study includes 145 students including 73 normal students (27 boys and 46 girls) and 72 borderline students (26 boys and 46 girls) Selected via the method of available sampling. The Social Interest Scale for Iranian Children (SISIC) was used to assess the mentioned groups` social interest. Multivariate analysis of variance was also used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis of the findings illustrated that there was a significant difference (p <0.001) between borderline students and normal students in total score of the scale and subscales of social interest, including responsibility -doing homework, communication with people-empathy, courage and confidence, a sense of equality versus inferiority /Superiority. Conclusion: comparing borderline students and normal students in terms of social interest the former is weaker. These results suggest the need to improve social interest in borderline students.