Psychological Wellbeing and Performance of Athletes With Disabilities in Adapted Sports in Abuja

This study examines the relationship between psychological wellbeing and sports performance among athletes with physical disabilities participating in adapted sports programmes in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory. Sport participation offers psychological benefits for persons with disabilities including enhanced self-efficacy, social inclusion, and identity affirmation, yet the specific wellbeing-performance relationship in Nigerian adapted sports contexts has not been empirically examined. This research employed a cross-sectional correlational design involving 115 registered athletes with physical disabilities competing in adapted athletics, wheelchair basketball, and sitting volleyball within the FCT Sports Council programme. Psychological wellbeing was assessed using the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scale, and sports performance was evaluated through season rank percentile and coach-rated competence scores. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were applied. Results indicate significant positive relationships between purpose in life, personal growth, and environmental mastery wellbeing dimensions and sports performance scores. Athletes with higher autonomy scores showed greater resilience following competition setbacks. Social integration through team-based sports demonstrated stronger wellbeing benefits than individual sports participation. Disability type moderated several wellbeing-performance relationships, with spinal injury athletes showing distinct profiles from congenital disability groups. The study recommends that adapted sports coaching programmes in Abuja integrate psychological skills training and wellbeing assessment as components of athlete development planning. Keywords: psychological wellbeing, adapted sports, athletes with disabilities, Abuja, sports performance.