Comparison of Personality Traits between Speech and Hearing Impaired Sportsman and Impaired Non-Sportsman

Abstract

Background: Speech and hearing impairment are commonly happening among the normal people. Speech and Hearing are essential sensory systems of an individual for verbal communication and personality development. Games and sports may distinguish their personality traits among them and can achieve the quality of life. Objective: To compare the personality traits between (i) speech-impaired sportsman and speech-impaired non-sportsman, and (ii) hearing-impaired sportsman and hearing-impaired non-sportsman among the physically challenged people. Hypotheses: There might not be significant differences on personality traits between (i) speech-impaired sportsman and speech-impaired non-sportsman, and (ii) hearing-impaired sportsman and hearing-impaired non-sportsman. Methods: Twenty (20) each speech-impaired and hearing-impaired persons among the physically challenged population, consisting of 10 each sportsman and non-sportsman on both speech and hearing-impaired groups, were purposively selected as subjects from different district rehabilitation centres of Manipur. R.B. Cattell’s 16 PF Questionnaire was administered to determine the personality traits among the speech-impaired and hearing-impaired sportsman and non-sportsman. The‘t’ test was employed to find out the significant differences among between the groups. Results: In case of the speech impairment, only the personality factor F and O were found significant differences between speech-impaired sportsman and non-sportsman, however only factor O was found significant difference in the scale of Standard ten scores. In case of hearing impairment, the personality factors O, Q1 & Q3 were found significant differences between the hearing-impaired sportsman and non-sportsman. However, no significant differences were found between the hearing-impaired sportsman and non-sportsman in the scale of Standard ten scores. The alternative hypothesis was accepted for personality factors F and O only in case of speech impairment and the personality factors O, Q1 and Q3 in case of hearing impairment. Conclusion: Games and sports give positive impact for the improvement of personality characteristics among the speech-impaired and hearing-impaired population. Therefore, regular participation of games and sports activities are mandatory for the physically challenged population in the society.