Change in Self-Concept and Parental Perceptions of Participants in the Special Olympics Program (Mainstreaming, Socialization, Self-Perception).

Abstract

This study examines an experimental group of Special Olympics participants and compares them to a control group of like subjects who were not involved in the Special Olympics Program. The purpose was to ascertain whether involvement in a major Special Olympics experience had any significant effect in influencing the self-concepts of participants and also whether parents of these participants would observe any change which might occur. The sample was composed of 78 special education students in an area involved in the Special Olympics Program during the 1983-84 school year. The experimental group of 38 individuals was involved in the Special Olympics during this period and a control group of 40 individuals was not involved in the program. Both groups were given pre and post administrations of the Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale before and during the Special Olympics. In addition, parents of participants were asked to complete a researcher generated questionnaire to ascertain their impressions of the effectiveness of the Special Olympics Program in influencing the self-concepts of their children. The findings of the study were that both the control and experimental groups began with comparable self-concept scale scores upon initial completion of the scale. After the Special Olympics experience there was no significant difference between groups in self-concept scale scores which could be attributed to the Special Olympics Program. There was, however, some positive movement in scale scores for an experimental subgroup measured in a post hoc analysis although it was not great enough to be significant. Parental response to the questionnaire, however, demonstrated evidence that the Special Olympics was, in fact, seen as a change-agent for their children, and that the self-concepts of their children were improved through involvement in the program.Ph.D.School counselingUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/160510/1/8512401.pd