Individuals with physical disabilities have increased rates of sedentary behavior, overweight, and obesity relative to individuals without disabilities. Additionally, they often have high levels of loneliness and depression and reduced social support. Hence, physical activity (PA; i.e., sport, exercise) can be a vehicle for both physical and mental health enhancement. However, the social identity implications associated with disability can impact and be influenced by PA engagement. Therefore, the purpose of the current chapter is to examine how PA related social identity considerations influence and are influenced by exercise and sport participation. We first discuss some traditional non-PA grounded social identity issues germane to disability, such as stigma theory and the disability paradox, in terms of their ramifications for PA engagement.The supercrip/hero social identity stereotype of the athlete with a disability is examined as well as the social identity that athletes with disabilities are not real athletes. The impression management social identity ramifications of being physically active are also explored. Finally, we conclude with some practical ramifications of the body of knowledge we review. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Social identity implications for active individuals with physical disabilities
VITALI, FRANCESCA
2011-01-01
Abstract
Individuals with physical disabilities have increased rates of sedentary behavior, overweight, and obesity relative to individuals without disabilities. Additionally, they often have high levels of loneliness and depression and reduced social support. Hence, physical activity (PA; i.e., sport, exercise) can be a vehicle for both physical and mental health enhancement. However, the social identity implications associated with disability can impact and be influenced by PA engagement. Therefore, the purpose of the current chapter is to examine how PA related social identity considerations influence and are influenced by exercise and sport participation. We first discuss some traditional non-PA grounded social identity issues germane to disability, such as stigma theory and the disability paradox, in terms of their ramifications for PA engagement.The supercrip/hero social identity stereotype of the athlete with a disability is examined as well as the social identity that athletes with disabilities are not real athletes. The impression management social identity ramifications of being physically active are also explored. Finally, we conclude with some practical ramifications of the body of knowledge we review. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
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