Autonomy, self-realization, and psychological empowerment: a prospective mixed methods study of the effects of residential immersive life skills programs for youth with physical disabilities

PURPOSE: To examine changes in self-determination associated with youth participation in residential immersive life skills (RILS) programs. METHOD: In this prospective mixed methods study, the Arc's Self-Determination Scale was administered pre- and post-program, and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups, to 27 RILS youth and a comparison group of 11 youth enrolled in a non-residential life skills program. Ten RILS youth were interviewed 3 and 12 months post-program, with content analysis used to explore changes in autonomy, self-realization, and psychological empowerment. RESULTS: RILS youth showed statistically significant increases in autonomy immediately after the program, which were maintained one year later, whereas the comparison group displayed increased autonomy only at 3 months post-program. Qualitatively, RILS youth emphasized changes in behavioral autonomy and psychological empowerment 3 months post-program, whereas at one year there was greater emphasis on changes in self-realization. Using a triangulation protocol, the mixed methods data were interpreted as showing agreement regarding changes in autonomy due to intervention, partial agreement regarding self-realization, and dissonance regarding psychological empowerment. CONCLUSIONS: RILS programs can enhance the autonomy of youth with physical disabilities and contribute to their sense of confidence and understanding of themselves as they move forward in life.