Psychological status of marginalized children on the basis of sports participation

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological status focusing on social adjustment and self-concept of marginalized children in relation to sports participation. The research focuses on children aged 14-18 years, associated with a rehabilitation program, to assess whether structured sports interventions can enhance their psychosocial well-being. The study evaluated key dimensions of social adjustment-emotional, social, and educational and six dimensions of self-concept: physical, social, temperamental, educational, moral, and intellectual. Independent t-tests were conducted to differences between the group’s sports participation and non-participants. Results indicate a significant positive effect of sports on the social adjustment of participants, with marked improvements in emotional and social aspects. The total social adjustment scores also demonstrated meaningful progress, reinforcing the role of sports in facilitating interpersonal and emotional growth. However, findings reveal no significant differences in overall self-concept or its dimensions, except for educational self-concept, which showed improvement. This study highlights the potential of sports as a rehabilitative tool, emphasizing its role in addressing the social challenges faced by marginalized children while advocating for a multidimensional approach to improving their overall well-being.