Characteristics of Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders: Perspectives of General Education Teachers in Saudi Arabia

Abdulrahman A. Abaoud^*, Nabil S. Almalki

Department of Special Education, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.4236/psych.2015.65050                

Abstract

Students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBDs) have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from other students with special needs. Some teachers may be aware of these problems through their teaching level, level of education, and/or experience in education but others are not. This study was conducted through a survey to determine teachers’ perspectives of students with EBDs because an important relationship exists between what is believed by teachers about such students and what is practiced concerning them. Participants in this study included 296 general education teachers from Saudi Arabia. The results showed that the participants who responded to the survey have neutral perspectives on the characteristics of students with EBDs. The study has found additional significant differences between male and female teachers regarding their perceptions of characteristics of students with EBDs. No significant differences were discovered in the level of education, the number of years of teaching experience, or the school level taught. Implications and conclusions are discussed.

Keywords

Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, General Education Teachers, Characteristics, Saudi Arabia

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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