Date Presented 03/27/20
Through a mixed-methods approach, this study observes and analyzes the impacts of an outdoor-adaptive activity-day event on the quality of life of the families of the child participants with various disabilities. Four domains were identified through an extensive literature review highlighting (1) self-efficacy, (2) performance skills, (3) social participation, and (4) family cohesion. Results from this study support the impact outdoor-adaptive activities have on these four domains.
Primary Author and Speaker: Gary Petersen
Additional Authors and Speakers: Emma Rogers, Madeleine Togneri, Caitlin Lee, Allen Quinto
PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impacts of adaptive outdoor recreation on the quality of life (QoL) of families of children with various physical and developmental disabilities through the use of pre-post test surveys and semi-structured interviewing at Best Day Foundation events. Both the surveys and interviews were structured to evaluate four domains determined as indicators of QoL from a comprehensive literature review. The four domains of QoL were self-efficacy, performance skills, family cohesion, and social participation. The current literature demonstrates a gap in which this research aims to fill on quantitative research on the effects of adaptive outdoor activities such as surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, and more. The literature surrounding children with disabilities outlines the higher prevalence of occupational deprivation and this study illuminates how access to adaptive outdoor adventure activities affects the participant’s and families’ overall QoL.
DESIGN: This study is a mixed-methods descriptive design using a triangulation approach. This study used convenience sampling which recruited participants who were parents and caregivers of children participating in the Best Day Foundation events in Southern California in the summer and fall of 2019. Diagnoses of the children participating in the event included autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental challenges; and their ages ranged from 4-24 years.
METHOD: An explanatory-sequential mixed methodology was used. Quantitative data collection incorporated an 8-item questionnaire with two questions for each target domain of QoL that was administered before and after participation in an event. Qualitative data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with parents and caregivers using a phenomenological approach.
RESULTS: Results showed high statistical significance (p<0.001) in the categories of self-efficacy, social participation, and family cohesiveness while still showing statistically significant values (p<.050) in the domains of self-efficacy and performance skills. Qualitative findings from the interview illustrated profound effects the BDF event had among family members.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this research demonstrate the significant impact that having access to adaptive outdoor activities has on the participant’s QoL. Each domain saw statistically significant results in the quantitative portion of the study, especially in the family cohesion, social participation, and self-efficacy items. The qualitative data described further the profound impact that participation in the adaptive outdoor activities had on their child as well as their whole family.
IMPACT: This research demonstrates the explicit link between increased overall QoL of the participants of an adaptive outdoor adventure activity event for children with disabilities. According to the data, the children improved their self-efficacy, social participation, performance skills, and the families felt more cohesive after just a few hours of the activities. This research supports that attendance of these events has implications for lessening the occupational deprivation that these children and families are facing while improving overall QoL.
References
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. (2011). Choosing a mixed methods design. In Creswell & Clark (Eds.), Designing and conducting mixed methods research (pp. 53-106). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Dorsch, T. E., Richards, K. A. R., Swain, J., & Maxey, M. (2016). The effect of an outdoor recreation program on individual’s with disabilities and their family members. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 50(2), 155-171. https://doi.org/10.18666/TR-J-2016-V50-12-6527
Meltzer, L.J., Graham, D.M., Leija, S., Booster, G.D., Carrol, T., Seeger, B., & Bledsoe, M. (2018). Benefits of disease-specific summer camps: Results from quantitative and qualitative studies at Roundup River Ranch. Children and Youth Services Review 89, 272-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.046
