The relationship between Developmental Co-ordination Disorders, child's perceived self-efficacy and preference to...

Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) may negatively impact children's self-efficacy and limit their performance and participation in school as well as in leisure activities performed after school hours. However, a lack of information exists regarding the relationships between DCD, child's self-efficacy and participation. Moreover, the literature about the way children with DCD experience these limitations and report about them is scarce. This study aimed to compare the perceived self-efficacy and the preference to participate in leisure activities of children with DCD and typical peers and to illuminate the relationship between self-efficacy, activity preference and DCD severity.

Participants were 37 children with DCD and 37 typical peers, aged 5.08-9.83 years. All children performed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System and the Preference for Activities of Children.

The scores of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children confirmed the motor gaps between the two groups. Children with DCD scored significantly lower in self-efficacy on all the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System subscales and demonstrated a lower preference to participate in leisure activities according to all scales of the Preference for Activities of Children. The lower their self-efficacy, the lower their motor performance and their preference to participate in activities.

Children's preference to participate in activities may be limited by motor difficulties, but further hindered by low self-efficacy. Early identification of DCD and associated negative outcomes, also based on child's self-reports, should receive special attention in intervention programmes in order to enhance children's self-confidence, feelings of belonging, optimal development and participation in daily activities.