Involvement in Special Olympics and its relations to self-concept and actual competency in participants with developmental disabilities

The current study examined the relations among components of a physical activity program, Special Olympics (SO), and the self-concepts (i.e., perceived physical competence, social acceptance, and general self-worth) and adaptive behaviors of individuals with developmental disabilities. This research...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in developmental disabilities 2003-07, Vol.24 (4), p.281-305
Main Authors: Weiss, Jonathan, Diamond, Terry, Demark, Jenny, Lovald, Benedicte
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Adults
Athletes
Athletics
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Competence
Cross-Sectional Studies
Developmental Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities - rehabilitation
disabilities
Disabled Persons
Elementary Secondary Education
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Miscellaneous
Parent Attitudes
Participant Satisfaction
Physical Fitness
Predictor Variables
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Regression Analysis
Self Concept
self-concepts
social acceptance
Social Behavior
Social Support
Special Olympics
Sports
Treatments
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Summary:The current study examined the relations among components of a physical activity program, Special Olympics (SO), and the self-concepts (i.e., perceived physical competence, social acceptance, and general self-worth) and adaptive behaviors of individuals with developmental disabilities. This research can assist in the development of theoretical models of how physical activity programs can be implemented to effect psychological change. Participants consisted of a randomly selected group of 97 individuals with developmental disabilities, between 9 and 43 years of age, and their parents. Participants’ self-concepts and adaptive behaviors were measured both by direct interview and parental report. Examined program components consisted of the length of time affiliated to the organization, number of competitions attended, of hours spent in training, of sports, and of medals obtained. Multiple regression analyses suggest relations between specific components of SO and participants’ self-concepts and adaptive behaviors. These relations highlight the importance of competition and sport for individuals with developmental disabilities.
ISSN:0891-4222
1873-3379
DOI:10.1016/S0891-4222(03)00043-X