Psychological Research in Individuals with Exceptional Needs (PRIEN)

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of executive functioning in the relationship between parental involvement and math achievement among children with learning disabilities. A descriptive correlational research design was employed, involving 379 Malaysian parents of children aged 9 to 12 years diagnosed with learning disabilities. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on the Morgan and Krejcie (1970) sample size determination table. Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Parent and School Survey (PASS) to assess parental involvement, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) to measure children's executive functioning, and the Math Composite of the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition (WIAT-III) for math achievement. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS version 21 to test the hypothesized mediation model and assess the model fit. Pearson correlation results indicated significant positive relationships among all variables: parental involvement and executive functioning (r = .41, p < .001), parental involvement and math achievement (r = .36, p < .001), and executive functioning and math achievement (r = .48, p < .001). The SEM revealed an acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 1.84, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.045), and confirmed that executive functioning significantly mediated the effect of parental involvement on math achievement. Both the direct effect (β = 0.26, p < .01) and the indirect effect through executive functioning (β = 0.18, p < .001) were statistically significant. The findings underscore the importance of executive functioning as a cognitive mechanism through which parental involvement enhances mathematical performance in children with learning disabilities. Educational interventions should integrate strategies to strengthen both parental engagement and children’s executive functioning skills to optimize academic outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of sensory processing sensitivity on emotional dysregulation in gifted students, examining the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity in this relationship. The research employed a descriptive correlational design, involving a sample of 390 gifted secondary school students from Isfahan city, selected based on Morgan and Krejcie’s sampling table. Participants completed three validated Likert-based instruments: the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis, and AMOS-21 for structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess direct, indirect, and total effects among the variables. Model fit was evaluated using standard indices including RMSEA, CFI, TLI, and GFI. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated significant positive relationships between sensory processing sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity, and emotional dysregulation (r = .56 to .67, p < .001). The SEM results showed that sensory processing sensitivity had a significant direct effect on emotional dysregulation (β = .42, p < .001), and on anxiety sensitivity (β = .56, p < .001). Anxiety sensitivity also directly predicted emotional dysregulation (β = .49, p < .001). Importantly, anxiety sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and emotional dysregulation, with a significant indirect effect (β = .28, p < .001). The model demonstrated excellent fit indices (CFI = .96, RMSEA = .052, χ²/df = 2.07). The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing anxiety sensitivity as a key psychological mechanism linking sensory traits and emotional dysregulation in gifted youth. Interventions that integrate emotional regulation and sensitivity awareness may enhance educational and psychological outcomes for this population.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between social cognition and loneliness in gifted underachievers, with a specific focus on the mediating role of rejection sensitivity. A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 399 gifted underachieving adolescents from Argentina, selected according to Morgan and Krejcie's (1970) sample size table. Standardized tools were used to assess social cognition, rejection sensitivity, and loneliness. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate bivariate relationships between variables, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to test the proposed mediational model. Fit indices, including χ², RMSEA, GFI, CFI, and TLI, were reported to evaluate model adequacy. Results indicated that social cognition was significantly and negatively correlated with both rejection sensitivity (r = –.43, p < .01) and loneliness (r = –.39, p < .01). Rejection sensitivity showed a significant positive correlation with loneliness (r = .58, p < .01). SEM analysis confirmed the mediating role of rejection sensitivity in the relationship between social cognition and loneliness. The indirect path from social cognition to loneliness via rejection sensitivity was significant (β = –.28, p < .001), and the total effect of social cognition on loneliness was substantial (β = –.49, p < .001). Model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²/df = 2.22, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.054). These findings suggest that deficits in social cognition contribute to heightened feelings of loneliness in gifted underachievers, primarily through increased sensitivity to perceived rejection. Interventions aimed at reducing rejection sensitivity may mitigate the impact of social cognitive difficulties on emotional well-being in this vulnerable group.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of teacher–student interaction quality on academic motivation in neurodivergent learners, with social relatedness examined as a mediating variable. A descriptive correlational design was employed using a sample of 403 neurodivergent secondary school students in Slovenia, selected based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling table. Standardized instruments were used to assess teacher–student interaction quality, social relatedness, and academic motivation, all measured on 7-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation in SPSS-27 to explore bivariate associations and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediating model. Model fit was evaluated using multiple indices, including χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. The results indicated significant positive correlations among all variables: teacher–student interaction quality was positively correlated with social relatedness (r = .61, p < .001) and academic motivation (r = .55, p < .001), while social relatedness was strongly correlated with academic motivation (r = .67, p < .001). The SEM analysis showed an acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 2.35, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.057). Teacher–student interaction quality had significant direct effects on both social relatedness (β = .61, p < .001) and academic motivation (β = .26, p < .001). Social relatedness significantly predicted academic motivation (β = .58, p < .001), and also mediated the relationship between teacher–student interaction and academic motivation (indirect β = .35, p < .001), confirming a partial mediation model. The findings underscore the critical role of social relatedness in explaining how supportive teacher–student interactions enhance academic motivation among neurodivergent learners. Educational interventions that strengthen relational dynamics in inclusive classrooms may foster higher motivation and academic engagement in this population.

This study aimed to explore the digital literacy needs, challenges, and support preferences of adolescents with intellectual disabilities to inform inclusive educational practices and policy interventions. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured focus group interviews with 20 adolescents aged 13–18 years diagnosed with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in Taiwan. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from both inclusive mainstream schools and special education centers. Data collection was conducted through four focus groups, each comprising five participants. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Thematic saturation guided the completion of data collection. Trustworthiness was enhanced through triangulated coding, member checking, and maintaining an audit trail. Analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) access to digital tools and infrastructure, (2) digital skills and usage patterns, (3) social and emotional factors, and (4) support systems and educational strategies. Participants reported limited and unequal access to digital devices, inadequate school resources, and lack of individualized digital instruction. While many adolescents demonstrated basic digital engagement (e.g., opening apps, watching videos), they struggled with more complex tasks such as evaluating online content or engaging in digital communication. Emotional barriers included fear of making mistakes and social comparison with peers. Support from family members and peers emerged as critical, while participants emphasized a need for gamified, visual, and hands-on digital training tailored to their learning styles. Adolescents with intellectual disabilities experience significant barriers to digital inclusion, stemming from infrastructural, cognitive, emotional, and instructional gaps. Addressing these challenges requires context-sensitive, learner-centered interventions and greater collaboration among educators, families, and policymakers to ensure equitable access to digital literacy education.

This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of virtual reality (VR)-based therapy for emotional regulation in youth with exceptional needs. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 23 purposefully selected participants, including special education teachers, therapists, caregivers, and VR developers, all based in Minnesota, USA. Participants were selected based on their direct involvement with VR therapy programs for youth with neurodevelopmental or emotional regulation challenges. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo 14, following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. The analysis revealed two main thematic categories: facilitators and barriers. Facilitators included seven subthemes: technological appeal, personalization, therapist control, motivation and engagement, institutional support, caregiver involvement, and observable emotional gains. Barriers were categorized into seven subthemes as well: accessibility and equity issues, sensory limitations, stakeholder resistance, cultural irrelevance, technical difficulties, ethical and privacy concerns, and lack of standardized guidelines. Participants reported that immersive features, real-time therapist adjustments, and family buy-in enhanced VR’s therapeutic effectiveness. Conversely, cost constraints, lack of culturally appropriate content, and technical or ethical challenges hindered adoption. Quotes from stakeholders enriched the thematic interpretation and contextualized the results. VR-based therapy shows promising potential in enhancing emotional regulation among youth with exceptional needs due to its immersive, customizable, and engaging design. However, successful implementation depends on addressing contextual challenges, including accessibility, technical infrastructure, and cultural inclusivity. Stakeholder collaboration and the development of standardized protocols are essential to scale VR interventions in educational and clinical contexts.