What is associated with openness to integrated sport among school-aged youth with disabilities? A cross-sectional study from Hungary
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24239667 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Anetta Müller (0000-0002-9164-8050, University of Debrecen), Attila Lengyel (0000-0003-3108-6188, University of Debrecen), Katalin Mező (0000-0002-1157-4478, University of Debrecen), Éva Bácsné Bába (0000-0002-0733-6637, University of Debrecen), Nóra Laoues Czimbalmos (University of Debrecen), Péter Židek (0000-0002-3098-1925, J. Selye University), Ferenc Mező (0000-0001-6261-8744, Eszterhazy Karoly Catholic University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Publication date | 2026-10-19 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2026.1922255 |
| OpenAlex | W7222922645 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 54 |
Introduction Integrated sport—defined here as people with and without disabilities sharing a sport setting—may support social connection and opportunities for participation, but integration does not by itself establish inclusion, and stated openness is not actual participation. This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with whether school-aged youth with disabilities in Hungary said they would like to take part in an integrated sports club. Methods A survey of 1,298 youth with disabilities aged 8–18 was conducted with the support of a national disability-sport federation. The single-item outcome retained its three nominal response options—“yes,” “no,” and “not interested”—without assuming that the latter two captured active refusal and passive disengagement. Gaussian latent profile analysis summarised seven activity-limitation indicators; a categorical latent class model tested sensitivity to their ordinal measurement; and multinomial logistic regression assessed associations with limitation severity, impairment type, awareness, access, attitude, and school type. Results Activity limitation formed a low-to-high severity gradient. Average posterior classification probabilities were .953, .902, and .938, and the categorical sensitivity model reproduced the ordered structure (87.6% identical ordered assignment; adjusted Rand index = .689). The full multinomial model had modest explanatory power (McFadden's R 2 = .088). Neither continuous severity (LR p = .087) nor the profile-membership block (LR p = .097) significantly improved the full contextual model. However, two individual profile coefficients remained statistically significant in the “not interested”-vs.-“no” contrast. Liking sport was the strongest correlate, although it was conceptually proximal to the outcome; its exclusion reduced McFadden's R 2 to .068 but did not make severity significant. Awareness and perceived access were also associated with the response categories, and impairment type was associated particularly with choosing “not interested” rather than “no.” Discussion The findings identify correlates of a stated, unvalidated openness item, not causes of inclusion or participation. Their interpretation is limited by the cross-sectional convenience sample, single-item measures, modest model fit, and the absence of participant-level records of questionnaire mode or pictorial support.
attitudes toward sport · disability awareness · disability sports · school type · social inclusion · youth with disabilities · Disability Rights and Representation · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Physical Education and Sports Studies
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| Highly cited | No |
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