Developing social skills and self-satisfaction of adults with intellectual disabilities through sports: a parental perspective

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of sports activities on social skills and self-satisfaction in adults with intellectual disabilities by obtaining the perspective of their parents. A questionnaire was used to collect the viewpoints of parents with adult children who have an intellectual disability in sports facilities. This questionnaire aimed to gather responses in relation to close-ended questions based on three dimensions: the reasons for participating in sports; general expectations of the sporting activities; and the effects of exercise in relation to adults with intellectual disabilities. The questionnaire was given to a sample set of 400 parents. 120 of these parents responded to and returned the questionnaire addressing the objectives of the study. The findings revealed that there are significant barriers that prevent people with intellectual disabilities from playing sports—including lack of training programs, the absence of their rights, and the difficulties of accessing sports facilities.