Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1993

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Recreation and Leisure Studies

Major Professor

Gene A. Hayes

Committee Members

Jack Pursley, Mary Dale Blanton

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the possible changes in self-esteem of university students working with disabled children in an outdoor camp setting. This research involved a control group that consisted of 32 male and female students enrolled in Foundations of Leisure and Dynamics of Recreation Leadership at The University of Tennessee. The experimental group consisted of 72 male and female graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in Outdoor Education for Disabled Children at The University of Tennessee. Self-esteem was measured using the Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory, second edition. Form AD. The instrument was administered to both groups at 3 different times over the course of the 15 week Spring 1993 semester. The control group did not study about disabled children and had no interaction with disabled children through their classes. The experimental group took the CFSEI-2 AD at the beginning of the semester and then did extensive study of children with disabilities over the next several weeks. The instrument was again administered to the experimental group before participating in the Camp Koinonia experience, a week long 24 hour per day camp for disabled children. The final administration occurred at the conclusion of Camp Koinonia. The scores from these administrations were analyzed on the basis of sex, class standing, age, major, and test over time. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the results. The results were analyzed by group, experimental and control, and combined using the IMP statistical analysis program that does statistical analysis and plotting. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in scores between the first and second administration and the second and third administrations of the CFSEI-2 AD in the experimental group. However, although the statistics showed a trend toward higher scores, the scores were already high and were only being raised minimally. There also seemed to be a statistically significant difference in scores on the CFSEI-2 AD between male and female subjects with males having slightly higher self-esteem. Results also showed a significant difference in scores based on class standing and/or age. There was a lack of data in this category which could have effected the results. There was no significant difference based on test over time in the control group. There was also no significant difference based on pre and post test score comparisons of the experimental and control groups or based on major. The conclusion of the study indicated that although there were some statistically significant differences in scores based on different variables, it can not be concluded that working with disabled children enhances self-esteem.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS