Abstract
Purpose
To determine whether Residential Immersive Life Skills programs (RILS) result in reliable change in autonomy and self-efficacy of youth with disabilities and whether gains persist over time. Sex differences and program response patterns were also examined.
Materials and methods
Autonomy from the ARC’s Self-Determination Scale and self-efficacy from the General Self-Efficacy Scale were completed by participants at baseline, post-intervention, 3-month, and at 12-month follow-ups. Reliable change index was calculated and examined over time.
Results
Autonomy improved significantly following the completion of RILS program and gains persisted and increased at 12-month follow-up. Participants who reliably improved in autonomy (program-responders) also improved in self-efficacy. The program-responders began the program with significantly lower autonomy and self-efficacy scores at baseline and differed in personal factor relative to those who did not experience increased autonomy post-program (non-responders). There were sex differences in program response with more male participants responding to the program.
Conclusions
RILS programs can result in sustained improvements in autonomy and self-efficacy. Urgency for change and personal needs/priorities may contribute to growth experiences. We recommend including a social connectedness module that formally facilitates friendships and social development to better meet the social needs of all youth, especially females with disabilities.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Youth’s autonomy improves following participation in Residential Immersive Life Skills programs.
Over time, improvements in youth autonomy may lead to improvements in self-efficacy.
It is important to measure gains over time as beneficial change increase over time.
More male participants may experience outcome change in autonomy than female participants.
Urgency for change and personal needs/priorities may contribute to growth experiences.
Acknowledgements
We extend our appreciations to team members involved with data collection, including Jesiqua Rapley, Alanna Rudzik, and Madhu Pinto. We also acknowledge the contributions of other members of the Ontario Independence Program Research (OIPR) team, and our sincere gratitude to Madhu Pinto for her assistance.
Disclosure statement
The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.
Data availability statement
We are unable to provide open access to the data due to confidentiality and consent issues. Queries about the results can be directed to [email protected]