Research Summary: Young Adolescent Physical Ability/Disability Identity

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Voices From the Field: Students, Staff, and Teachers (Table 4)

Abstract

This systematic literature review of young adolescents’ physical ability/disability identity answered the question: What insights does the extant literature reveal about young adolescents’ physical ability/disability identity and their experiences?. We consider identity to be multifaceted and intersectional and approached the work at the intersection of Gardenswartz and Rowe’s (2003) Four Layers of Diversity Model and social identity theory (Tajfel, 1978; Islam, 2014). From this intersection, we narrowed down to one of the internal dimensions, physical ability, to frame identity. Taken from a larger literature review on young adolescent identity and experience, we identified four main themes: the relationship among self concept, motor abilities, and physical activities; physical disabilities in relation to physical activities, disability identity, and social participation.

Authors

• Stacie Kae Pettit, Georgia College & State University

• Micki M. Caskey, Portland State University