Snow Sports to Meet One’s Need for Self-Actualization

Abstract

The present qualitative, phenomenological study investigated why persons with disabilities turn to specifically snow sports and the role that snow sports play in achieving self-actualization. A content analysis was performed on every available online Team USA Paralympic athlete biography (N = 69) gathering data on general information, prior involvement in sports, type/classification of impairment, year of injury, and rationale for choosing snow sports. Adaptive snow sport organizations across the United States of America were contacted (N = 30) and athletes of these organizations were surveyed regarding the impact that snow sports had on their psychological difficulties. Two narrative interviews were held survey questions to triangulate and to gain real life accounts in a more personal manner. Through researching the question “What role does self-actualization play in the motivation of the persons with physical disability in participating in snow sports?”, it is still fair to say persons with physical disabilities view snow sports as a means of asserting competence and to focus on one’s own ability rather than their disability. Snow sports are, therefore, a viable source of psychological rehabilitation for persons with physical disabilities, like popular sport alternatives such as wheelchair basketball. More research is needed to better observe a cause-and-effect relationship between psychological state of mind and participating in snow sports.