Analysis of Peer Support Levels for Disabled Individuals with Demographic and Sports-Related Variables

Abstract

Considering the difficulties that disabled individuals of our society encounter in their daily lives, one can assume that the notions of cooperation and solidarity may be related to the support level. The aim of this study was to determine the level of peer support of disabled individuals and therewith analyse it across different variables including playing sports.The sample for the study included a total of 247 disabled students (117 female and 130 male) from different age groups in Erzurum. To recruit participants, special schools for sight-disabled and physically disabled individuals, and rehabilitation centers in Erzurum were visited. The data was collected via the questionnaire of “Peer Support Scale” which was developed by Çalışkan and Çınar (2012). The statistical methods of frequency distribution, t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyse the data. Statistical significance (p<.05) was considered in the interpretation of the results.The results showed that there were statistically significant differences among the participants’ sub-scale means on the Peer Support Scale when the groups were compared on the basis of the disability level, the reason to disability, playing sports or not, the type of sports, the time spent on sports, and the number of siblings. It was found that the peer support level was higher for disabled individuals who played sports when compared to those who do not play sports. It is suggested that disabled individuals should be encouraged to participate in sports-related activities, which would facilitate their socialization, cooperation, interdependency and the level of peer support.

Keywords: disabled individuals, peer support, sports