Shamych O. The psychology of personal self-realization in Paralympic sports

The thesis presents the theoretical generalization and new solutions to the important scientific problem of the psychological foundations for personal self-realization in Paralympic sports and the full integration of disabled people into society. The research concept on an individual's self-realization in Paralympic sports, the methodical foundations for examination and optimization of personal resources for disabled people's self-realization is presented. The author substantiates that the genesis of Paralympians' self-realization is determined by the motive that expresses the objectification of needs and determines the desire to develop their own potential. The modern Paralympic sports create opportunities for disabled people to use the reserve capacities of their bodies and to integrate in full into society; sports activities provide opportunities for Paralympians to meet their needs for belonging to a social group, for self-affirmation, information achievement and physical improvement. The performed comprehensive study of the psychological foundations of personal self-realization in Paralympic sports has shown that sports provide an opportunity to ensure disabled people's effective functioning not only in para-sports, but also in other areas of personal and public life. The model and methodological foundations of the research on Paralympian's self-realization are substantiated. A set of interrelated personal parameters as structural components of the self-realization model is revealed. Paralympians' psychological features (general, depending on age, gender and achieved results) and self-realization factors (moral satisfaction due to won competitions; the capabilities of personal self-realization; possibilities to represent their country, club, city; broadness of communications with friends, acquaintances; the opportunity to be a full member of society, the pleasure of training, exercises and the prospect of travelling abroad) were determined. The author determines that the psychological basis of Paralympians' self-realization is their desire for personal growth; awareness of the goals concerning their future, openness to new experiences, the experienced sense of their potential realization; positive self-attitude, self-acceptance with all own advantages and disadvantages, self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of competence; existing life goals and meaning of life; trusting relationships with the entourage, understanding that human relationships are built on mutual actions; independence, confidence in their own abilities.