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Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2026. Vol. 15, no. 1, 96–105
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2026150108
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

Review of modern foreign research on the problems of left-handedness

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Left-handedness as a characteristic of individual typological characteristics of a person. Statistical data on the prevalence of left-handedness. The causes of left-handedness are genetic, pathological, and acquired. Objective. To show the connection of left-handedness with psychomotor and emotional characteristics, with deterioration of mental health and quality of life. Hypothesis. Due to atypical laterality, left-handed children have a complex of significant features of the bioelectric activity of the brain, as a result of which the cognitive, volitional and emotional spheres of left-handed children are characterized by an unstable level of arbitrary regulation. Results. The revealed psychological and pedagogical features of left-handed children show that they differ from their right-handed peers in mental development due to the presence of certain features of intelligence and specific thinking strategies, methods of memorization and the specifics of emotional and affective expression. Conclusions. Understanding the possible connection between left-handedness and psychological difficulties is of great importance for parents, educators, and mental health professionals, as it allows them to timely notice developmental features, provide necessary support, and create favorable conditions for the adaptation and well-being of left-handed children.

General Information

Keywords: functional asymmetry of the brain, left-handedness, causes of left-handedness, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), dyslexia

Journal rubric: General Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2026150108

Funding. The reported study was performed without financial support.

Received 06.10.2024

Revised 18.04.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Donskova, E.S. (2026). Review of modern foreign research on the problems of left-handedness. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 15(1), 96–105. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2026150108

© Donskova E.S., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Ekaterina S. Donskova, senior lecturer of the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2990-4076, e-mail: sunnysideofthirty@yandex.ru

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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