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Enhancing Self-Esteem Through Special Olympics Participation: Insights from Psychosocial Research

This research explores the psychosocial impact of involvement in the Special Olympics for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The study compares groups from Special Olympics, Mencap, and those not engaged in sports, focusing on self-esteem, stress, social networks, and life opportunities. Findings show that Special Olympics participation correlates with higher self-esteem, indicating unique benefits beyond sports. Future research calls for longitudinal studies and adaptation of exercise regimes for individuals with ID. Acknowledged support from Special Olympics organizations.

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Enhancing Self-Esteem Through Special Olympics Participation: Insights from Psychosocial Research

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  1. Self-esteem and participation in the Special Olympics Prof Jan Burns & Dr Clare Watts

  2. ‘In 170 countries, Special Olympics enriches the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.’ 3.5 million members

  3. Potential life experience for people with ID

  4. Potential life experience for people with ID

  5. Potential life experience for people with ID

  6. What we know about the impact of sport is....

  7. Given we know that people with ID are vulnerable to all sorts of problems that research has shown can be alleviated by sports participation........ what does research tell us about the involvement of people with ID in sports? Under researched

  8. Research Aims • Comparison study • UK based • Looking specifically at psychosocial differences • Self-esteem • Stress • Social networks • Life Opportunities

  9. Psychosocial impact of involvement in the Special Olympics UK • Mencap • No sport (N 34) • Special Olympics (N 40) • Mencap Sport • (N 20) • Matched • gender • IQ (WASI) • Opportunity (Life Experiences Checklist) • Sport = 1 hour+ organised activity a week

  10. Measures

  11. Findings Groups were comparable, except on age where SO and Mencap Sport were younger (mean SO, 32.5; Mencap sport 30.5, No sport, 42) Self esteem and LEC positively were significantly correlated Multiple regression analysis- to see if group membership predicted controlling for Life Experience Checklist (opportunity)

  12. Model Physical and psychological well-being • Self Esteem • Life opportunities • Stress • Social networks

  13. Findings Of the three groups only the Special Olympics group was predictive of higher levels of self-esteem Suggests there is something additional to playing sport that the Special Olympics offers

  14. Future Research Longitudinal studies needed to strengthen evidence base How effective exercise regimes might be adapted This troublesome thing called IQ People with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome

  15. Thank you Acknowledgements This project was supported by a grant from SO US, volunteer research assistants, Special Olympics UK and Mencap Any questions?

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