The Role of Social Support and Emotion Regulation in Fostering Curiosity Among Individuals with Specific Learning Disorders

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between curiosity, social support, and emotion regulation in individuals with specific learning disorders (SLD). The objective was to determine how social support and emotion regulation predict levels of curiosity in this population, providing insights for effective interventions. The study employed a cross-sectional design with a sample size of 252 participants, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data were collected using the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II) for curiosity, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) for social support, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) for emotion regulation. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS-27 to examine the relationships between the variables. Descriptive statistics indicated moderate levels of curiosity, social support, and emotion regulation among participants. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between curiosity and both social support (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and emotion regulation (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that social support and emotion regulation collectively accounted for 37% of the variance in curiosity (R² = 0.37, F(2, 249) = 72.19, p < 0.001). Both social support (B = 0.32, p < 0.001) and emotion regulation (B = 0.25, p < 0.001) emerged as significant predictors of curiosity. The findings highlight the significant roles of social support and emotion regulation in fostering curiosity among individuals with SLD. Supportive social environments and effective emotion regulation strategies are critical for promoting curiosity and engagement. These insights can inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at enhancing the well-being and academic success of individuals with SLD.