A master’s thesis was defended at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Baghdad, by the student Mustafa Imad Mohammed, titled:
“The Effect of a Counseling Program (Psychological-Behavioral) on the Social Integration of Physically Disabled Individuals in Paralympic Volleyball.”
The examination committee consisted of:
•Prof. Abdullah Haza’a Ali – Chair
•Asst. Prof. Tareq Ali Yousif – Member
•Asst. Prof. Zeina Khalid Jasem – Member
•Prof. Wasan Jasem Mohammed – Member & Supervisor
The significance of the study lies in addressing social integration as a key factor for individuals with physical disabilities, focusing on building their self-confidence and fostering effective communication through structured counseling sessions. These sessions aim to enhance both psychological and behavioral aspects of players with physical disabilities in the context of Paralympic volleyball.
The researcher concluded that the psychological-behavioral counseling program he developed had a positive effect on promoting the social integration of the athletes. He recommended the generalization of these results to benefit the Iraqi Paralympic Volleyball Federation.
The study aimed to:
•Develop a social integration scale for physically disabled volleyball players
•Assess the current level of social integration among them
•Design a targeted counseling program
•Measure the impact of this program on their social engagement
This research aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, highlighting the importance of inclusive sports environments and mental health support for people with disabilities.
