The influence of family functioning on self-determination of students with and without special educational needs

The present research aimed to explore how family functioning influenced self-determination among students with and without special educational needs. The Chinese version of the Self-Report Family Instrument and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) Self-Determination Scale were administered to 575 Hong Kong senior secondary school students without SEN and 106 with SEN in the present research. Results showed that the Chinese version of the Self-Report Family Instrument and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) Self-Determination Scale were reliable and valid among students with and without SEN. Furthermore, for students with SEN, family health significantly positively predicted self-determination. For students without SEN, family health significantly positively predicted self-determination, while family pathology significantly negatively predicted self-determination. Significance, limitations, and implications of the present research were discussed. Copyright © 2017 The Education University of Hong Kong.