title: Comparing the Well-Being of Para and Olympic Sport Athletes: A Systematic Review.
abstract: This systematic review included 12 studies that compared the well-being of Para and Olympic sport athletes. Meta-analyses revealed that Para athletes, compared with Olympic sport athletes, had lower levels of self-acceptance, indicated by athletic identity, d = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.77, 0.16], and body-image perceptions, d = 0.33, 95% CI [0.59, 0.07], and differed from Olympic sport athletes in terms of their motivation, indicated by a greater mastery-oriented climate, d = 0.74, 95% CI [0.46, 1.03]. Given an inability to pool the remaining data for meta-analysis, individual standardized mean differences were calculated for other dimensions of psychological and subjective well-being. The results have implications for professionals and coaches aiming to facilitate the well-being needs of athletes under their care. Future research would benefit from incorporating established models of well-being based on theoretical rationale combined with rigorous study designs.
authors.affiliation: College of Arts, Social Sciences and Commerce, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Macdougall
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Halloran
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sherry
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012649:Self Concept; D064846:Sports for Persons with Disabilities; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis