Sport participation differences in the self-esteem of people with physical disabilities using assistive technology

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the self-esteem (SE) throughout SE statements as well as overall SE in people with physical disabilities (PD) using assistive technologies (ATs) and compare the SE between people with PD who regularly participating in sport and who not participating in any sport in their leisure. Two groups of people with PD (n=132) according to the type of ATs usage were recruited for the study: (1) those who use for their daily mobility (DM) ATs like electronic and manual wheelchairs (participating in sport, n=39; not participating in sport, n=46) and (2) those who for their DM use other types of ATs like walkers, sticks, crutches, etc. also (participating in sport, n=23; not participating in sport, n=24). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to analyze the SE among evaluated groups of people with PD was used as a primary research method. Significantly higher overall SE was shown by the groups of people with PDs - wheelchair users, as well as other ATs users - who are regularly participating in sport, compared to those who are not participating in any sport in their leisure. The group of wheelchair technology users, as well as other ATs users who do not participate in sport, showed a significantly higher level of negative feelings about themselves compare to those who regularly participate in sport in their leisure. The group of wheelchair technology users who regularly participated in sport in their leisure presented a significantly higher level of positive feelings about themselves than wheelchair technology users who did not participate in sport leisure activities. ATs usage should significantly help increase overall SE as well as positive SE in people with PDs at the same time with regular sports participation in this minority society groups’ leisure time.