Anxiety, confidence and self-concept in adults with and without developmental coordination disorder

Previous research suggests that adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) report lower general wellbeing and higher general anxiety levels than typically developing (TD) adults.

To examine and explore relationships between anxiety and confidence (self-efficacy and resilience) generally and in a movement-specific context, along with self-concept among adults with DCD and TD adults.

74 adults with diagnosed DCD, 26 adults with suspected DCD and 79 TD adults (18-60 years) completed an online questionnaire composed of a mixture of existent psychometric measures and novel scales.

General and movement-specific anxiety, self-efficacy and general resilience were all poorer in adults with diagnosed and suspected DCD compared to TD adults. Higher resilience was related to higher self-efficacy and lower anxiety in adults with DCD. Individuals with suspected DCD for whom motor skills difficulties were an important aspect of their self-concept had lower movement-specific self-efficacy.

Interventions to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of adults with DCD should include a focus on lowering anxiety and building self-efficacy and resilience, with particular attention to movement-related domains.

This would facilitate the effective development of strategies to manage motor skills difficulties and their impact on everyday life for adults with DCD.