Abstract
Background: There is a lack of knowledge concerning how individuals with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) perceive their social participation as they move from adolescence to adulthood, or how they experience social relationships during these crucial life stages, as compared with typical adults. Objectives: This study sought to (1) compare and contrast the reported social experiences of individuals with and without DCD, in late adolescence and adulthood; and (2) to compare past and current self-perceptions of social experiences among these individuals. Method: This was a descriptive and comparative study. The participants included 110 young adults between the ages of 18–40 years, whose responses to the Socialising and Friendship Questionnaire (SAF-Q) enabled us to compare and contrast differences between groups on socializing and friendships, currently and retrospectively. Questionnaire responses were compared between adults with DCD (n=37) and without (n=73). Results: Using independent sample t tests, the SAF-Q revealed significant differences (t (110) = -3.19, p < 0.05) between participants with and without DCD in the SAF-Q “past” section (late adolescence), but no significant differences (t (110) = -1.64, p > 0.05) in the SAF-Q “current” section (adulthood). Conclusions: This preliminary study revealed that adults with DCD tended to recall poorer social experiences as adolescents, compared to the memories of typically developed adults. In adulthood, however, they reported social experiences similar to those of typical adults. This suggests a need to develop social intervention for adolescents with DCD which includes the practice of social participation and skills, in preparation for adulthood.
Translated title of the contribution | Friendships and Socialization with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Comparing Experiences in Late Adolescence and Adulthood |
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Original language | Hebrew |
Pages (from-to) | E42-E59 |
Journal | כתב-עת ישראלי לריפוי בעיסוק |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |