Can scuba diving transform the lives of people with physical impairments? A mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to: (1) test and explain the type of experience scuba diving is among people with physical impairments based on the experience-type framework; (2) assess and describe their personality based on the Big Five domains; and (3) identify if personality, years diving, and diving level predict experience-type.

METHODS

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed. The quantitative phase used a cross-sectional survey (n = 103). The qualitative phase used follow-up interviews with 15 participants divided into 3 case study groups. Joint displays with meta-inferences integrated the data.

RESULTS

Quantitative and qualitative findings concurred on scuba being a transformative experience. 82.52% of survey participants reported scuba as a transformative experience, with no significant differences on experience impact based on impairment category (p = 0.56), impairment onset (p = 0.66), gender (p = 0.08), race/ethnicity (p = 0.51), or age (p = 0.07). Big Five personality domains, years diving, or diving level did not predict experience impact (R2 = 0.14, F(12,90) = 1.304, p = 0.2305). Data strand results differed on salient personality domains. Seven qualitative themes emerged, five on experience-type and two on personality.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend the exploration of scuba diving as a prospective rehabilitation intervention.