Athlete identity in para-sport: A comparative study of athletes with congenital and acquired disabilities.

Background: Identity development explores how individuals perceive themselves based on their life experiences, including their current self and aspirations. Athlete Identity has been studied using a 4-factor framework across various sports and ability groups. However, there is limited research on how individuals with physical disabilities perceive themselves as athletes and how an acquired disability impacts identity compared to a congenital disability.

Objective: To test the validity of the 4-Factor Model of Athlete Identity and to determine if athletic identity differs between para-athletes who have congenital versus acquired disabilities.

Methods: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Participants consisted of 408 individuals (8 years and older) who play wheelchair basketball (n = 315 male; 29.13 ± 13.89 yrs; M ± SD) who responded to a brief online questionnaire including basic demographics and the 10-item Athlete Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS).

Results: No significant differences in total AIMS scores were found between participants with congenital disabilities and participants with acquired disabilities. Age was a significant covariate. Eigenvalue analysis of the AIMS scores shows that 2 factors describe this population of athletes.

Conclusions: Disability acquisition is not associated with total AIMS scores. Athletic identity is weaker in older participants suggesting a more inclusive self-schema as one ages. The 4-factor model of Athletic Identity is not applicable in this population. Continued research into the intersection of athlete and disability identity is warranted.

Abstract presented: North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, 2019.