Improving Special Olympics volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Li, Chunxiao; Wu, Yandan
- Source
- Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability; Mar2019, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p35-41, 7p, 3 Charts
- Subject
- Health promotion
Research methodology
Attitudes toward disabilities
People with intellectual disabilities
Health self-care
Self-perception
Sports for people with disabilities
Volunteers
Sports events
Psychology
China
- Language
- ISSN
- 13668250
Background: Information regarding how the Special Olympics programs affect volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is limited. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to address this gap. Method: The intervention group participants (n = 120) were Chinese volunteers for the Special Olympics Eunice Kennedy Shriver University Day. They were asked to attend a pre-service training program and provide a half-day service. Results were compared with a control group (n = 123). Results: Our findings showed that the volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes immediately improved after intervention. In addition, change in participants' self-esteem contributed to their positive attitude change. Conclusions: The Special Olympics may provide an avenue for promoting the volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes regarding inclusion towards individuals with ID. Future research should include follow-up tests to examine the lasting effects of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]