A systematic review of self-determination interventions for children and youth with disabilities

Abstract

Purpose

Developing self-determination skills is an important component of youth’s maturation. However, many youths with disabilities lack opportunities to engage in activities that can promote these skills. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of self-determination interventions for children and youth with disabilities.

Methods

A systematic review was performed on seven international databases that identified 28 studies meeting our inclusion criteria.

Results

Among the 28 studies, 5184 youth with disabilities (aged 9–29, mean age 16.8 years) were represented across three countries. The interventions varied in duration, length, number of sessions, and delivery format, which included curriculum-based, workshops, experiential or residential learning, peer coaching and mentoring, self-directed individual learning, computer games, and multi-component designs. 19/28 studies reported a significant improvement in self-determination. Of these 13/18 studies showed improvements as measured by Arc’s self-determination scale, while 8/13 studies reported a significant improvement as measured by AIR self-determination scale. Other significant differences were reported in vocational skills self-efficacy and self-determination inventory.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight that there are several types of interventions that have the potential to improve self-determination for youth with disabilities. Further research is needed to understand what program components could help youth to obtain optimal outcomes.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Several types of interventions (school-based, community, online) have potential to influence self-determination for youth with disabilities.

• Clinicians and educators should consider having multiple components including workshops, one-to-one and group-based learning, mentoring and coaching for optimal program outcomes.

• Interventions that are targeted to enhance self-determination for youth with disabilities should be theoretically informed and use a validated measure to assess their effectiveness.

Keywords:

• Independence
• review
• self-determination
• youth
• self-efficacy

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Kimel Family Fund and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.