"VelaMente?!" - Sailing in a crew to improve self-efficacy in people with psychosocial disabilities: A randomized controlled trial

Sancassiani F

;Cocco A;Cossu G.;Lorrai S.;Trincas G.;Floris F.;Mellino G.;Machado S.;Nardi. Fabrici;E. P. Preti;Carta M. G.

2017-01-01

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Abstract

Introduction: It has been proposed that sailing can improve quality of life, personal and social skills of people with severe psychosocial disabilities. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a psychosocial rehabilitative intervention focused on sailing on quality of life, self-efficacy and sense of coherence in people with severe psychosocial disabilities. Methods: The study was a randomized, with parallel groups, waiting-list controlled trial. Participants were 51 people with severe psychosocial disabilities. The intervention was a structured course to learn sailing in a crew lasting three months. A randomized group began the sailing course immediately after a pre-treatment assessment; the waitlist group began the sailing course after a three months period of treatments as usual. Participants were assessed before and after the sailing course, or the waiting list period, on the General Self- Efficacy scale (GSES), Sense Of Coherence scale (SOC) and Health Survey-short form (SF-12). Results: Self-efficacy significantly increased after the sailing course and decreased after treatment as usual (p=0.015). Sense of coherence and the levels of quality of life tended to improve after the sailing course, albeit below levels of statistical significance. Conclusion: When compared to more traditional psychosocial rehabilitative activities, an intervention focused on sailing in a crew positively impacts the sense of coherence and the levels of quality of life and significantly improves self-efficacy of people with severe psychosocial disabilities. Further longitudinal research is required.