2. Self-concept and meaning of college life with motor functional diversity

Abstract

In the present paper, the authors report findings from a qualitative study with the purpose of assessing the self-concept and sense of life of students with motor functional diversity in the Anaco Extension of the ‘Universidad de Oriente’. With the support of the phenomenological method, in-depth interviews were performed to four key informants. Findings are described through data and theories triangulation. It was showed that there are some dimensions of self-concept based on the presence or absence of diversity and the meaning of life between genders. The presence of functional diversity seems to be associated with a lower level of academic and emotional self-concept for females as opposed to males. There is a need to integrate some psychological counseling processes to facilitate personal growth processes and to enhance those people’s psychological stability, because they seem to lack such support in the institution.