Self-Efficacy for Physical Activity in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background/Purpose: Studies have indicated that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have lower self-efficacy toward physical activity and participate in fewer organized and recreational play activities than children without the disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine self-efficacy in children with DCD by using two unique assessments and compare the results by age.

Method: There were 11 participants diagnosed with DCD, 9 males and 2 females aged between 7 to 13 years. Participants completed two questionnaires, the Children's Self-Perception of Adequacy in, and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). The CSAPPA dealt with the participant deciding between a physical activity or a non-physical activity and whether or not this choice really describes them or does not describe themselves. The CAPE is a more detailed questionnaire that involved asking whether the participant has done the activity, how often, with whom, where, and how much they enjoyed the activity. Participants were divided into two age categories, with the “younger” group between 7 to 9 years and the “older” group with ages between 10 to 13 years. Independent t-tests were run to compare the groups for all the scales and a correlation analysis looked at possible relationships between age and scores.

Analysis/Results: For ease of understanding, scores were shown as the percentage of the maximum score for each category of each assessment. The only significant difference was found for the CSAPPA total score, where the younger group had a significantly higher percentage of self-efficacy for the total CSAPPA score than the older group (69% compared to 54%). In two scales of the CSAPPA (Total Score & Active Games) and two of the CAPE (Diversity & Enjoyment) a negative correlation was found between age and percentage values, indicating that self-efficacy decreases as age increases (CSAPPA – total: -.54, active games: -.53, CAPE – diversity: .-41, enjoyment: -.53).

Conclusions: With these results we can support the preliminary notion that that self-efficacy in children with DCD decreases with age. This could be due to their typically developing counterparts advancing in their abilities, making it more apparent to the child with
DCD that they have difficulties with certain activities. This possibly leads them to enjoy those activities less or refrain from doing them entirely. An important way to address self-efficacy in children with DCD is to encourage them to set attainable goals in their area of limitation.