Effects of Special Olympics Participation on the Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance of Mentally Retarded Children

1989 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Gibbons ◽  
Frank B. Byshakra

Little research has been conducted on the psychosocial outcomes that may occur in adapted populations who participate in Special Olympics. This study examined changes in perceived competence of participants and nonparticipants of a 1 1/2-day Special Olympics track and field meet. Pre- and posttest measures of the physical, cognitive, peer acceptance, and maternal acceptance subscales of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children were obtained from participants (N=24) and non-participant controls (N=24). A test of homogeneity of variance on pretest scores revealed that both groups were equivalent on the perceived competence and social acceptance measures. A MAHOVA was conducted to compare gain scores on all four measures between the two groups. Results indicated that both groups differed significantly on the perceived physical competence and peer acceptance measures. The stability of gains in perceived competence over time, and further examination of perceived competence and its correlates with adapted populations, were suggested as future directions for research.

1996 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline D. Goodway ◽  
Mary E. Rudisill

This study was conducted to determine the influence of a motor skill intervention (MSI) program on the perceived competence and social acceptance of African American preschoolers who are at risk of school failure/developmental delay. Two groups of preschoolers enrolled in a compensatory prekindergarten program participated in a 12-week intervention. The motor skill intervention (MSI) group received an MSI program, while the control group (C) received the regular prekindergarten program. All children completed Harter’s Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance prior to and following the 12-week program. The results indicated that all children, regardless of group, reported high perceived physical and cognitive competence and high perceived maternal and peer acceptance. Additionally, the MSI group reported significantly higher perceived physical competence scores after receiving the MSI program. The MSI group also reported higher perceived physical competence than the C group on postintervention scores. No gender differences were found. It was concluded that perceived competence and social acceptance were enhanced by participation in an MSI program.


1999 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karma El Hassan

This study aimed at validating the use of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance (PSPCSA) with Lebanese kindergarten children. The scale was administered to 152 children, their responses were analyzed, sex differences were studied and the reliability and validity of the scale were investigated. The findings provided partial support for the use of the PSPCSA with Lebanese children. Responses showed a pattern somewhat similar to that reported in US research. Kindergartners had highly-inflated ratings which were higher than those of their teachers. Except for the maternal scale, subscales intercorrelated moderately with each other, also the reliability coefficients were good and comparable to those obtained by Harter. With respect to predictive validity, self-concept scores correlated only with achievement in the social domain and not with academic achievement. Factor analysis revealed a two-factor model made up of a large competence factor which included cognitive and physical competence and peer relations, and a small maternal acceptance factor. There were differences in the findings due to cultural influences. Implications were discussed and future research directions were outlined.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanying Xiong ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Zan Gao

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a child-centered exergaming program and a traditional teacher-led physical activity (PA) program on preschoolers’ executive functions and perceived competence. Methods: Sixty children aged 4–5 years from an urban childcare center in China completed an 8-week exergaming/traditional PA intervention. After baseline measurements of executive functions and perceived competence (i.e., perceived physical competence and social acceptance), children were randomly assigned to either an exergaming group or traditional PA group (30 children per group). Exergaming and traditional PA programs were offered 20 min/session by trained instructors for 8 weeks. Post-intervention measures were identical to baseline measures. Results: In general, children’s executive functions, perceived physical competence, and perceived social acceptance were enhanced over time. Analysis of variance revealed significant time by group interaction effects for executive functions, F(1, 58) = 12.01, p = 0.01, and perceived social acceptance, F(1, 58) = 6.04, p = 0.02, indicating that the exergaming intervention group displayed significantly greater increases in executive functions and perceived social acceptance in comparison with traditional PA children. In addition, children’s executive functions and perceived physical and social competence significantly improved from baseline to post-intervention. However, there was no significant difference in the increase of children’s perceived physical competence across groups over time. Conclusion: The results suggested exergaming to be beneficial in enhancing young children’s executive functions and perceived social acceptance compared to the traditional PA program. More diverse samples with a longer intervention duration in preschool children in urban areas are warranted.


1992 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen R. Weiss ◽  
Susan C. Duncan

Youth sport literature contends that the development of self-esteem is influenced by social interactions in the physical domain. However, little research has investigated the role of the peer group in developing perceptions of physical competence and social acceptance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship, between competence in physical skills and interpersonal competence with peers in a sport setting. Children (N=126) completed measures assessing perceptions of physical competence and peer acceptance» perceptions of success for athletic performance and interpersonal skills, causal attributions for physical performance and interpersonal success» and expectations for future success in these two areas. Teachers' ratings of children's actual physical ability and social skills with peers were also obtained. Canonical correlation analyses indicated a strong relationship (rc = .75) between indices of physical competence and peer acceptance. Children who scored high in actual and perceived physical competence and who made stable and personally controllable attributions for sport performance also scored high in actual and perceived peer acceptance and made stable attributions for successful peer interactions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (s2) ◽  
pp. S239-S251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fotini Venetsanou ◽  
Irene Kossyva ◽  
Nadia Valentini ◽  
Anastasia-Evangelia Afthentopoulou ◽  
Lisa Barnett

This study aimed to adapt the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children (PMSC) in Greek and assess its reliability and face, construct, and concurrent validity in 5- to 9-year-old Greek children. Face validity was conducted with 20 children, whereas a larger sample (N = 227) was used to examine construct validity. Two subsamples (n = 38; n = 142) were used to investigate test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Greek version of the PMSC (PMSC-GR) with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children (PSPCSA) and the physical competence subscale (PCS), respectively. The panel of experts confirmed the clarity and concept integrity of the PMSC-GR. Temporal stability was confirmed for PMSC-GR total score and both Locomotor (LOC; ICC = .80; 95% CI, .62–.89) and Object Control (OC; ICC = .91; 95% CI, .82–.95) subscales. Appropriate internal consistency was found for the total score as well as for the LOC and OC scores (polychoric correlations: PMSC-GR, .80; LOC, .60; OC, .76). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of a one-factor and two-factor model. Scores of the PMSC and the PSPCSA-PCS were correlated to a low level. The PMSC-GR is valid and reliable for Greek children and appears to measure a different construct to general physical perceived competence.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 784-786
Author(s):  
Patrick C. Friman ◽  
Keith M. McPherson ◽  
William J. Warzak ◽  
Joseph Evans

Chronic thumb sucking in school-age children may reduce peer social acceptance, an important contributor to social development. The influence of thumb sucking on social acceptance was assessed among 40 first-grade children, who were shown four slides of two 7-year-old children (one boy, one girl) in two poses (one thumb sucking, one not). After viewing each slide in their classrooms, the children answered 10 numerically weighted questions related to peer acceptance. To limit the possibility that the children would determine the girl and boy were the same in each pose, the slide presentation was counterbalanced across two sessions 1 week apart. Using a repeated-measures analysis of variance, the authors compared composite scores on each question for both poses. The results indicate that while in the thumb-sucking pose, the children were rated as significantly less intelligent, happy, attractive, likable, and fun and less desirable as a friend, playmate, seatmate, classmate, and neighbor than when they were in the non-thumb-sucking pose. These findings suggest that the risk of reduced social acceptance should be added to the list of potentially harmful effects of chronic thumb sucking in school-age children.


2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Cristina Valentini

Fundamentado em teorias de motivação (Ames, 1987, 1992a, b; Epstein, 1988, 1989; Nicholls, 1984) o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a influência de uma intervenção motora, com técnica de motivação orientada para a maestria (TMOM), no desenvolvimento motor e na percepção de competência física de crianças com idades entre seis e 10 anos que demonstraram atrasos motores previamente identificados. Noventa e uma crianças com atrasos motores foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em dois grupos: intervenção (N = 41) e controle (N = 50). Os participantes do grupo de intervenção foram submetidos a 12 semanas (duas sessões semanais). Ao início e término da intervenção, todos os participantes realizaram o Test o f Gross Motor Development - TGMD organizado por Ulrich (1985). Os participantes que experienciaram a intervenção também responderam a Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance - PSPCSA (Harter & Pike, 1984) no início e no término da intervenção. A influência da intervenção na percepção de competência física foi avaliada através de ANOVA com medidas repetidas. Os resultados evidenciaram que a intervenção promoveu mudanças significantes e positivas em relação à percepção de competência física de meninos e meninas com atrasos no desenvolvimento motor. A ênfase na TMOM propicia ao professor oportunidades para criar experiências motoras que suprem as necessidades de todas as crianças, indiferentes de suas experiências prévias e diferentes níveis de habilidades, promovendo a autonomia das crianças colocando-as como sujeitos de suas conquistas. Em outras palavras, permite as crianças explorarem seu próprio processo de aprendizagem


1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Mullan ◽  
John Albinson ◽  
David Markland

This study explored whether children differentiate between their physical capabilities at play activities, informal recreational activities, and formal competitive activities. Harter’s (11) six-item Athletic Competence subscale from the SelfPerception Profile for Children was administered to 578 children and adolescents (ages 7-15 years). The items were modified to refer to three different categories of physical activity instead of sport or outdoor games as used in the original subscale. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that children differentiated between the three categories of physical activity, and that the competitive sport category was their area of lowest perceived competence. Males had higher levels of perceived competence than females in each category.


1989 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Brewer ◽  
Joanne M. Smith

This study examined whether the social status of mainstreamed retarded children among their nonretarded peers improved as a consequence of extended contact. A sociometric questionnaire was administered to the nonretarded classmates of two groups of retarded children mainstreamed for an average of 1.7 yr. and 4 yr., respectively. Social acceptance of retarded children was low relative to their nonretarded peers. However, in contrast with previous research, retarded children did not receive higher social rejection ratings. Acceptance and rejection measures did not indicate any improvement in social status of the retarded children as a result of an extended period of mainstreaming.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Pablo Hernández-Lastiri ◽  
África Borges ◽  
María Cadenas

AbstractEarly relationships with equals are considered a relevant factor in people’s development. In order to study social interaction, Santoyo (1996, 2006) proposes the functional mechanisms of social effectiveness, social responsiveness, and reciprocity. To analyze and compare these mechanisms in the participants of the Comprehensive Program for High Abilities (CPHA) with the purpose of detecting possible differences between the students who are better considered by their equals and those who have less social acceptance. The sample was selected by a sociogram, and the social interaction was measured with the Observational Protocol for Interactions within the Classroom-OPINTEC, v.5 (Cadenas & Borges, 2016, 2017; Cadenas, Borges, & Falcón, 2013). The participants show effectiveness and correspondence, but they don’t show social reciprocity. No differences were observed between the most valued ones and the most rejected ones. Observation represents and appropriate methodology for the studying of social relations in natural settings in combination with other procedures. ResumenLas relaciones tempranas con los iguales se consideran un factor relevante en el desarrollo de las personas. Para el estudio de la interacción social, Santoyo (1996, 2006) pro­pone los mecanismos funcionales de efectividad, corres­pondencia y reciprocidad social. Analizar y comparar los mecanismos que regulan la interacción social en alumnado participante del Programa Integral para Altas Capacidades (PIPAC) con el fin de detectar posibles diferencias entre aquellos mejor considerados por sus pares y los que pre­sentan una menor aceptación social. La muestra se selec­ciona mediante el sociograma y la interacción social se mide a través del instrumento de observación Protocolo de Observación de Interacción en el Aula-PINTA, v.5 (Cade­nas & Borges, 2016, 2017; Cadenas et al., 2013). Tanto los estudiantes focales más valorados como los más rechazados muestran patrones indicadores de pre­sencia de efectividad y correspondencia social, pero no re­ciprocidad social. No se observaron diferencias entre am­bos grupos. La observación representa una metodología adecuada para el estudio de relaciones sociales en ambien­tes naturales en combinación con otros procedimientos


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document