The current study sought to explore attitudinal differences in college students toward people with disabilities (PWD) based on their demographic backgrounds and levels of prior contact. Participants were 311 undergraduate and graduate students at a large public university in the Midwest. Using the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons Scale, Form-O (Yuker & Block, 1986) and the Contact with Disabled Persons Scale (Yuker & Hurley, 1987), a moderate positive correlation between attitudes and levels of contact was found (r = .302, p < .001). Significant differences in the mean scores of the ATDP were observed for different demographic groups. A subsequent ANCOVA indicated that levels of prior contact were influential on attitudes towards PWD. Implications for rehabilitation practice and future research are discussed.
T he present study examined ways in which progressive disability affects the pursuit of personal goals and how the uncertainty of progressive disability influences life perspectives. A total of 117 individuals with muscular dystrophy responded to two open-ended questions designed to elicit their views on the psychological and behavioural manifestations of progressive disability. Specifically, the study used a three-step phenomenological existential approach to analyse the written responses by the participants (Creswell, 2009). The results indicated that factors such as involuntary early retirement, problems establishing and maintaining romantic relationships; changing personal and career goals, fear of uncertainties, feeling undesirable and unattractive, lack of accessible transportation, and fear of passing on hereditary diseases affect an individual's psychological well-being. The need for around-the-clock care can present a burden that leads to caregiver burnout and resentment. Implications for rehabilitation professionals are provided based upon review of the literature and qualitative data analysis.
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