Predicting high quality of participation in adaptive snow-sports for individuals with disabilities: An exploratory study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study aimed to examine the individual, program and environmental (social and physical) characteristics which predict high quality of participation in adaptive snowsports for each dimension of the Quality of Participation in Parasport Framework (QPPF) autonomy, belongingness, mastery, challenge, engagement and meaning. METHODS: A survey was completed by 133 individuals with disabilities or their representatives on each dimension of the QPPF in adaptive snowsports and on the factors impacting the quality of participation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants, and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed for each dimension of the QPPF to evaluate the relative contribution of individual, snowsport-related, program and environmental factors to each dimension. RESULTS: Individuals with disabilities in this study reported high quality of participation on all dimensions of the QPPF. The individual characteristics only predicted the QPPF dimension of challenge. However, the program and environmental characteristics such as equipment, number of instructors and barriers were robust predictors of quality of participation. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants experienced high quality participation. Supporting the adaptive snowsports programs while reducing the barriers faced by people with disabilities should be a continued effort to promote quality of participation.