Recreational Therapy Commons^™

The Psychosocial Outcomes Among Athletes And Youths With Disabilities, Coleen E. Martinez

Masters Theses

Background: Physical activity (PA) through sports participation can help people with disabilities (PWD) improve their health outcomes (physical, psychological and social). Children also participate in sports because it is fun. The majority of research has focused on the physical outcomes of PA. There is a national call to increase the research into the psychological benefits of PA among PWD.

Purpose: (1) To conduct a pilot study to utilize the Health through Sport Model to determine the effects of wheelchair basketball on physical self-perception and sport enjoyment in youth with disabilities. (2) To conduct a systematic review of research …

Examining The Physical Activity Levels Of Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities During Physical Education And Recess, Vincenzo Nocera

Doctoral Dissertations

Introduction: It is currently believed that children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are less physically active than their peers. The school setting may offer a promising solution to allow children with and without IDD to engage in physical activity (PA). However, the current school-based PA levels of this population remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to compare the PA levels and related context of youth with and without IDD during the total school day, physical education, and recess. Methods: A total of 13 children (n = 3 with IDD) enrolled in first- and second grade participated …

Changing Attitudes: The Impact Of A Disability Awareness Class, Christine Ann Masci

Honors Theses and Capstones

Attitudes towards people with disabilities can be either positive or negative. A undergraduate college course about disability awareness followed a structure focusing on awareness, interaction with PWD, and education in order to make a positive impact on attitudes. The study compared the disability awareness class to a general education humanities class. While results indicated that there was not a significant change in pre and post scores when comparing the classes, there was a significant change in the disability awareness class upon further analysis of data. There are additional suggestions to further the impact of the class within the disability awareness …

Utilization Of Specialized Camp Services Among Parents Of A Child With A Disability, Heather Ann Wroten

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the utilization of specialized camp services among parents of a child with a disability. This study sought to investigate specialized camp services as respite for families. The data was gathered utilizing a mixed method survey approach. The surveys were distributed to primary caregivers of a child with a disability who have attended Camp Paivika within the past three years. The sample size of this study was 69 respondents. The results show that the family unit benefits by way of de-isolation. The camper increases social skills, confidence, and independence. The caregivers experience emotional …

Exploring Exercise And Youth With A Disability, Kimberly B. Simpson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the exercise participation of youth with a disability. The studies are grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and follow the General Model of Program planning (GMPP). The first study in this dissertation involved assessment interviews to explore exercise and youth with a disability. In the assessment interviews (Study 1), youth highlighted their desire for physical activity opportunities that promoted their independence, socializing with peers, and success in reaching fitness goals in a community based setting. The interviews with youth matched the central tenants of SDT that being: autonomy, relatedness …