The effectiveness of active rehabilitation camp on wheelchair users’ self-esteem

Background: The Active Rehabilitation Camps (ARC) provide access to comprehensive rehabilitation. The main goal is to provide wheelchair users achieving the maximum possible independence in performing activities of daily living, to help them accept a new lifestyle, as well as comprehensive rehabilitation in the social and vocational fields. Higher self-esteem in wheelchair users help them overcome barriers in everyday living, increase initiative, improve their mental health and well-being.Aims of the study: The aim of the research was to evaluate the impact of Active Rehabilitation Camps on self-esteem of wheelchair users.Material and methods: 95 adult wheelchair users aged 18 to 75 took part in the study. 92 participants were included in the analysis (31 women and 61 men). The research tool was a questionnaire including first part with personal data and a second part - an international and validated questionnaire the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). All participants filled the questionnaire at the beginning of the ARC and after two-week camp.Results: The results showed a significant improvement in self-esteem among participant after camps, total self-esteem according to RSES increased from 28.32 4.99 before a camp, to 30.8 4.85 after a camp (p<0.0001). Our results showed that apart from general self-esteem, SE in such domains as “on the whole, I am satisfied with myself”, “I am able to do things as well as most other people” or “I take a positive attitude towards myself” increased significantly after the ARC (p<0.001).Conclusions: The activities of the Active Rehabilitation Camp including access to physical activity, health-promoting education, experience exchange and integration of wheelchair users, increase the level of self-esteem of Active Rehabilitation Camp participants. Systematic physical activities, social and emotional support, as well as appropriate education should be provided in everyday rehabilitation among wheelchair users to improve their self-esteem and everyday life functioning.