Understanding Special Olympics Experiences from the Athlete Perspectives Using Photo-Elicitation: A Qualitative Study.
BACKGROUND
Many individuals with intellectual disabilities experience challenges to participating in organized sport, despite its known benefits. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of participating in sport (Special Olympics) from the perspectives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.


METHODS
Five participants (13-33 years of age) took part in a photo-elicitation project during a 1-month period.


RESULTS
Our thematic analysis of participant photographs and descriptions revealed the following athlete themes: 'Connectedness' and 'Training in Sport'.


CONCLUSIONS
Photo-elicitation was a useful and important tool in assisting athlete participants to communicate their motivations to participate in sport in ways that using traditional verbal interviewing would not.
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jonathan A
JA
Weiss
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Priscilla
P
Burnham Riosa
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Suzanne
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8261-0571
S
Robinson
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Stephanie
S
Ryan
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Ami
A
Tint
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Michelle
M
Viecili
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jennifer A
JA
MacMullin
Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Rebecca
R
Shine
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Special Olympics; athlete perspectives; photo-elicitation; photovoice