Young people with disabilities: the influence of leisure experiences on family dynamics

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research project on the influence of leisure experiences on the family dynamics of young people with disabilities. Case studies have been performed within five different households, all of which included a teenager living with a disability, in order to understand the importance of leisure experiences in family dynamics. All these teenagers practise a physical activity without the presence of a parent and outside of their home. For the sake of this study, parents and children have taken part in semi-structured interviews. The results show how participation in such activities is associated with the process of family dynamics. A model of influence of leisure on family resilience and a typology of family emerged from the results. This paper supports the importance of sport participation for young people with disabilities.