Examining Attitude Change Following Participation in an International Adaptive Sports Training

Abstract

Adaptive sports participation has been found to benefit participants physically, emotionally, cognitively, and psychologically. These sports may also serve as a vehicle to combat society’s negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. To further explore this possibility, the purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of an international adaptive sport training on Thai college student and professor attitudes toward individuals with physical disabilities. Twenty-one participants completed the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS). A series of one-way RM ANOVAs and descriptive statistics were utilized to compare participant scores across time. Findings indicated that there were no significant changes in attitudes as measured by the MAS. Measurement and program design issues are considered. More work is needed to develop an appropriate tool to evaluate changing attitudes. Implications for research and recreational therapy practice are discussed. Subscribe to TRJ