Lifting Limits: Mediation Moderation Effects of Barrier Awareness, Attitudes, Training Desire, and Job Performance in Fitness Staff

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Organization Development & Change (D.O.D.C.)

Department

Organization Development

First Advisor

Swathi Ravichandran (Committee Chair)

Second Advisor

Neil Baird (Other)

Third Advisor

Margaret Brooks (Committee Member)

Fourth Advisor

Michelle Brodke (Committee Member)

Abstract

This study explores staff perspectives that promote access for and participation of persons with disabilities (PWD) at fitness facilities. Practitioners and scholars often approach access and barrier-reduction through recommendations that change the physical environment. However, these strategies are often costly. Few acknowledge the social environment whereby barriers are overcome communally rather than individually. Because of the lack of literature focused on fitness facility staff, this study approaches closing the gaps by investigating the level of awareness of barriers staff have, whether staff are interested in pursuing training or professional development opportunities, and the relationship training has on their perceived future job performance. Research hypotheses examine the relationship between awareness and training desire, whether attitude towards PWDs mediates or moderates this relationship, and the relationship between training desire and perceived job performance. Observed results suggest a significant positive relationship between training desire and perceived job performance. Additional analyses report significant positive relationships between a person’s education and their attitude, and attitude with training desire and perceived job performance. Concluding, those with stronger more positive beliefs that the interaction, presence, and/or participation of PWDs leads to growth for themselves, organizations, and society were more interested in training that developed their competencies around working with clients with mobility, cognitive, and/or sensory disabilities as well as saw themselves as providing greater value to their organization if they received training for working with PWDs. As such, practitioners should target staff attitudes and learning orientations to promote access for and participation of PWDs.

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