EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADAPTIVE SPORTS PARTICIPATION, MOTIVATION, AND COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION OF VETERANS WITH ACQUIRED DISABILITIES

Abstract

Reintegration to normal living after a traumatic event or injury is difficult for anyone, but can be especially challenging for military veterans. The purpose of this study was to understand the potential impact adaptive sport participation and motives for participation have on reintegration to normal living in veterans with acquired disabilities. The study population included 28 veterans who participated in seven different adaptive sport programs. Data were collected using two different scales, the Motives for Physical Activities Measure - Revised (MPAM-R) and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI), to examine frequency of adaptive sports participation, motives for participation and community reintegration among veterans. Results indicated multiple significant relationships between motivational factors (interest/enjoyment, competence, fitness and social motives) and community reintegration. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the motivational factor of interest/enjoyment was a significant predictor of community reintegration in veterans with acquired disabilities. This research study suggests that veterans who are motivated by interest/enjoyment to participate in adaptive sports have higher self-perceived levels of community reintegration than those who are motivated by other factors.