Attitudes Toward Clothing and Self‐Concept of Physically Handicapped and Able‐Bodied University Men and Women

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to ascertain the extent to which students with physical handicaps have clothing attitudes that differ from able‐bodied students, and to investigate the relationship between self‐concept and clothing attitudes. Data were collected from 35 handicapped and 76 able‐ bodied university students. Handicapped students were defined as those who had orthopedic dis abilities and were confined to wheelchairs. The clothing attitude variables were appearance, fash ion, management, comfort, and durability. There were clothing attitude differences between hand icapped and able‐bodied students for all variables except appearance. Handicapped students had consistently lower clothing attitude scores on all variables studied. There were significant differ ences between men and women students on all clothing attitude variables regardless of physical condition, with women indicating a more positive attitude on each of the variables. There was not a significant difference in self‐concept scores between the handicapped and able‐bodied students, nor was a statistically significant relationship identified between the clothing variables and self‐ concept scores.

Caregivers' Perceptions of Clothing for People with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities

“…Researchers in the 1970s (e.g., Ahrbeck & Friend, 1976;Newton, 1976;Kernaleguen, 1978;Feather, Martin, & Miller, 1979;Hoffman, 1979;Shannon & Reich, 1979) discussed issues of comfort, ease in dressing, and fabric and garment durability, as well as the use of clothing to conceal disabilities. Most of them argued that while clothing care and adaptations are often necessary for ease in dressing, these same adaptations make the clothes look different from garments worn by everyone else.…”

Self-Esteem, Age Identification, and Media Exposure of the Elderly and their Relationship to Fashionability

“…Clothing is a form of nonverbal communication and helps individuals in boosting their self-esteem (Aldredge, 1973;Bader, 1983;Calhoun & Morse, 1977;Feather, Martin, & Miller, 1979;Schneider, 1974). However, conflicting viewpoints exist as to whether fashionable or classic styles of clothing would enhance individuals' cognitive and physical selves.…”

Perceived Risk and Information Sources Used by Wheelchair-Bound Consumers in Clothing Purchase Decisions

“…Feather et al (1979) found expectations were lower for disabled students who expressed less dissatisfaction with clothing available in the market than did able-bodied students. The low ranking of importance given both of these suggests an acceptance of an existing situation even though disabled consumers have expressed need for specialized clothing.…”

“…Reich (1975) explained that clothing can enhance a person's body and reduce the threat of psychological insecurity. Feather, Martin, and Miller (1979) reported clothing appearance was as important to disabled students as to able-bodied students. Feather, Martin, and Miller (1979) reported clothing appearance was as important to disabled students as to able-bodied students.…”