Investigation of Social Skill Levels of Individuals with Mental Disabilities in Terms of Their Participation in Sports: A Content Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to examine in detail the effect of sports on the social skill levels of individuals with intellectual disabilities within the scope of the analysis of studies in the literature. Individuals with intellectual disabilities, like individuals with typical development, need to participate in sports and regular physical activity. Sports are of great importance in terms of physical, spiritual, mental and social skills for individuals with intellectual disabilities. However, the participation of these individuals in sports within a regular program accompanied by sports trainers graduated from the field has an important element in terms of being beneficial to these development areas. In the study, theses and scientific studies published in the National Thesis Center and Google Scholar between the years 2004-2024 were scanned and examined in detail. As a result of these examinations, nearly twenty scientific studies directly related to the research topic were reached. These studies were analyzed in detail in terms of their findings and results. When the findings and results of the analyzed studies were examined, it was seen that participation in sports had a very important effect on the development of social skill levels in individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as other development areas. As a result, it can be stated that participating in sports within a regular program has a positive effect on the social skill levels of individuals with mental disabilities. In addition, it is recommended that disabled individuals do sports with the supervision of sports instructors trained in the field of physical education in order for sports to contribute more effectively to the social skill levels and other development areas of individuals with mental disabilities.