PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, DEFENSE STYLES, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support, defense style and psychological well-being in visually impaired students. It was hypothesized that perceived social support and psychological well-being will be positively correlated with mature defenses and negatively correlated with neurotic and immature defense style in visually impaired students. Correlational research design and purposive sampling technique were used in the current research. A sample (N = 100), (boys = 66, girls = 34) was obtained from 7 public sector institutions of special education. The scales used were Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support , Defense Styles Questionnaire-40 and Psychological Well-being Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and independent samples t-test were used for data analysis purpose. It was found that perceived social support is positively correlated with psychological well-being. Perceived social support and psychological well-being are significantly and positively correlated with mature defense style and negatively correlated with neurotic and immature defense style in visually impaired students. Many significant gender differences also appeared in the current research.