The effect of the Duke of Edinburgh award programme on adolescents with intellectual disability

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities (ID), and in particular adolescents, are at increased risk of suffering from poorer health than people without ID. This vulnerable group are at particular risk of becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes which can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke and death. An established mediating factor to lessen the likelihood of becoming obese and its associated risks is through participating in regular physical activity.

People with ID take part in less physical activity and are less physically fit (which may affect their ability to take part in physical activity). The Duke of Edinburgh award programme (DofE),which has an array of aims and objectives, purports that it enhances participation in physical activity. The DofE also aims to enhance self-confidence, motivation and self-esteem – all factors that people with ID reportedly have lower levels of, but are all correlates of physical activity.

Adopting methods and instruments that were designed within this research programme and were subjected to feasibility testing, qualitative evaluation and reliability testing using confirmatory factor analysis, the levels of physical activity, fitness and a number of psychological outcomes of 47 adolescents with ID (16.02 ± 1.35 years) were measured before, immediately following and 6 months after the DofE. To compare, 54 participants without ID(15.98 ± 0.79 years) taking part in the DofE and 27 participants with ID (16.51 ± 0.70 years)who were not following the programme were also measured across the same time points.

Results found that, in these participants, the DofE did not cause any positive changes in levels of physical activity, fitness and psychological outcomes. This suggests that in spite of its aims and objectives, popularity and status, the DofE does not improve physical and psychological outcomes of adolescents with ID. Recommendations are made for how reasonable adjustments to the programme might enable this vulnerable group to enjoy its benefits.

Date of Award	2016
Original language	English
Supervisor	Laurence Taggart (Supervisor), Gavin Breslin (Supervisor) & Wendy Cousins (Supervisor)