Self-Concepts of Disabled Youth Athletes

Abstract

A self-concept inventory was administered to 158 youth athletes, ages 9 to 18 yr. (M = 13.94 yr., SD = 2.63) who competed in the first Pan American Victory Games for Physically Disabled Youth. Disabilities represented were blind (n = 57), cerebral palsy (n = 52), dwarfs (n = 18), spinal cord injured (n = 12), amputation (n = 10), and les autres (n = 9). The purpose was to examine the self-concepts of disabled youth athletes and begin a data base. Analysis indicated that mean self-concept scores fell within or were close to ranges of means for able-bodied youth, as given in the test manual.