Attitudes toward disabled persons as a function of social context and specific disability.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to test a hypothesis that situational context affects attitudes toward disabled persons. A total of 191 nondisabled adult subjects completed the Disability Social Relationship Scale, a newly devel oped instrument that includes social situation subscal es of Work, Dating, and Marriage, and disability subscal es of Amputee, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, and Blind. As hypothesized, the results yielded significant differences across social situations and among specific disabilities, as well as a significant interaction between social situation and disability. These data are discussed.Reviews of the extensive research literature on attitudes towards disabled persons during the past 35 years indicate some relatively consistent and general conclusions (Barker, Wright, Meyerson, & Gonick, 1954;English, 1971;Schneider & Anderson, 1980;Siller, 1976). In essence, they conclude that nondisabled persons' attitudes toward the disabled are primarily negative and result in societal prejudice against and rejection of disabled persons. Furthermore, the effects of these devaluing attitudes on the disabled person include a variety of social restrictions and the likelihood of reduced self-esteem (Roessler & Bolton, 1978).Research in this area has taken three major directions. The first, assessment of attitudes toward the disabled, has generated the most research. The assessment of attitudes has been characterized by major research programs that have been deemed necessary to provide a knowledge base for intervention strategies aimed at modifying unfavorable attitudes. The second direction has been the identification of the personal and demographic correlates of attitudes toward disabled persons (English, 1971). Variables such as sex, age, education, occupation, social adjustment, personality traits, and hierarchy of attitudes toward specific disabilities have all received attention, with results showing some consistencies and a great deal of inconsistency (Schneider

Attitudes of University Students towards People with Disabilities in the Social Context: A Preliminary Study

“…The training should not only be a knowledge-based type of training, but also a practice-based training where students can apply their knowledge about disability and interact with other students with disabilities to bridge the gaps between these groups. Realistically, attitudes toward disability should be measured on the basis of social context and specific disability (Grand et al, 1982). When the attitudes toward people with disabilities are measured in a situational context, the outcome will provide a meaningful and practical interpretation on exploring individuals' attitudes toward people with disabilities.…”

“…The reactions towards people with disabilities in the social context vary in the literature. Antonak (1981) and Grand, Bernier, and Strohmer (1982) found that interactions between people with disabilities and people without disabilities often result in shorter conversations, less physi-cal contact, and less personal and meaningful conversations (as cited in Miller et al, 2009, p. 211). Negative attitudes were particularly more apparent in the context of dating and marriage.…”

“…Most of the studies have found that attitudes towards dating and marrying people with disabilities have been evaluated less favorably than attitudes in the social context of work (Deloach, 1994;Grand et al, 1982;Karnilowicz, Sparrow, & Shinkfield, 1994;Strohmer, Grand, & Purcell, 1984;Stovall & Sedlacek, 1983;Gordon et al, 1990). In Gordon et al study, the highest mean acceptance score was found on the Work scale, consistent with the results of Grand et al (1982) and Strohmer et al (1984). Miller et al (2009) conducted a study at a southwestern Hispanic-serving public university and reported students were most willing to have friendships and somewhat less willing to have dating relationships.…”

Does Culture Matter or Firm? Demand for Female Labor in Three Indian Cities

“…While it does not detract from the richness of our data set, we are acutely conscious of the fact that norms and attitudes are notoriously tricky to measure. First, responses to questions on attitudes are inexorably ascribed by context -who the respondent is, where they live, how they were raised, among others (see for instance Grand, Bernier and Strohmer, 1982). These can affect both the respondents' interpretation of the question as well as their response.…”

The Counselor and Physical Attractiveness: A Response

“…Physical attractiveness (i.e., appearance) is a poor indicator of health levels, potentials for achievement, and success when applied to the aged or persons with a handicap. Grand, Bernier, and Strohmer (1982) investigated attitudes toward disabled persons as a function of social situation and specific disability. They found that (according to the nondisabled raters) the less visible the disability, the more likely the person was acceptable for association within various social contexts.…”