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PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF SELF-ESTEEM AND COMPETENCE CHANGES IN THEIR CHILDREN WHILE LEARNING TO BICYCLE

Abstract

Kelly D. BarnsƗ1, Jason D. Wagganerǂ1, Anthony J. Faberǂ1, and Thomas J. Pujolǂ1, FACSM. 1Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO.

iCan Bike, a subdivision of the iCan Shine organization, started in 2007 and serves a variety of individuals with special needs and/or disabilities, with the primary objective of learning to ride a typical two wheeled bicycle. Each iCan Bike camp consists of one 75-minute session per day, totaling 375 minutes for the week. To date very few, if any, studies have assessed the effects learning a new skill (i.e., learning a bicycle) have on self-esteem or competency, especially in individuals with special needs and/or disabilities. PURPOSE: To assess the perceived self-esteem and competency scores measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Pearlin Mastery Scale (PMS) of participants in an iCan Bike camp. The recorded results were the guardian’s perceived perception of their participant’s self-esteem and competency. METHODS: Questionnaires containing the RSES (10 questions) and PMS (7 questions) were completed by the guardian of participants in the iCan Bike camp. A paired samples t test was conducted to compare pre- vs. post-camp scores using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (v23.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) RESULTS: The iCan Bike sample consisted of 156 participants with 64.7% (n=101) males and 35.3% (n=55) females. A total of 63.5% of participants learned to independently ride a bicycle. Based upon questionnaire responses (i.e., guardians), a significant increase was observed for the PMS from pre- (23.04+4.56) vs. post-camp (25.25+4.83) [t(155) = -4.41, pCONCLUSIONS: Guardians indicated a significant increase in their participant’s competence but not self-esteem after attending an iCan Bike camp. The success rate of this study (63.5%) was lower than the iCan Bike’s advertised rate of 80%, which may be a primary reason for the lack of change in self-esteem scores. Overall, more research needs to be completed on individuals with special needs and/or disabilities and the effects of gaining new skills on self-esteem and competency.

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