Health practitioners' perceptions of family attitudes toward children with disabilities: A comparison of six communities in a multicultural society.

Abstract

Cultural differences in families' attitudes and expectations regarding children with disabilities were investigated by a survey of the mainstream Anglo and the Chinese, Italian, German, Greek and Arabic ethnic communities in Australia. While the attitudes of the Germans were similar to those of the Anglo group, attitudes in other communities differed from the Anglo in the following ways: There was less expectation that children with disabilities should behave like other children, be included in family outings, play with neighborhood children or attend school. Their disabilities were more likely to be kept secret but less likely to be perceived as placing a strain on their parents' marriages. A son with a disability was considered particularly tragic. The findings are related to the individualistic or collectivist values of these communities. The implications for rehabilitation practitioners working in multicultural settings are discussed.The importance of family attitudes in the rehabilitation of people with physical disabilities is well documented (Eisenberg, Sutkin, & Jansen, 1984;Power & Dell Orto, 1980). Such attitudes are particularly influential when the person with the disability is a child. They affect the child's self-concept, motivation, social skills and adjustment (Ferrari & Sussman, 1987;Wright, 1983). The family's perception of the cause and meaning of the disability is communicated to the child and also influences the experiences which are provided for the child and the life roles that he or she is expected to achieve. Research findings and case studies attest to the importance of child rearing practices in determining the degree to which a child with a disability is handicapped (Gliedman & Roth, 1980;Wright, 1983).There has been little research examining cultural differences in family attitudes toward children with disabilities (Scheer & Grace, 1988). This issue has

Religious/Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs, Frequency of Contact, and Gender as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities

“…With respect to the attitude referent, variables such as disability type (McCaughey & Strohmer, 2005; Ostapczuk & Musch, 2011; Smart, 2001) and the gender of the attitude referent (Weisel & Florian, 1990) have been associated with distinctive attitudinal valence. Variables of the attitude holder that relate to attitude valence include cultural background and norms (Goreczny et al, 2011; Westbrook & Legge, 1993), profession (Loo, 2001; Tervo et al, 2004), and certain personality attributes (Keller & Siegrist, 2010; Vilchinsky et al, 2010).…”

Religious/Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs, Frequency of Contact, and Gender as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities

“…With respect to the attitude referent, variables such as disability type (McCaughey & Strohmer, 2005; Ostapczuk & Musch, 2011; Smart, 2001) and the gender of the attitude referent (Weisel & Florian, 1990) have been associated with distinctive attitudinal valence. Variables of the attitude holder that relate to attitude valence include cultural background and norms (Goreczny et al, 2011; Westbrook & Legge, 1993), profession (Loo, 2001; Tervo et al, 2004), and certain personality attributes (Keller & Siegrist, 2010; Vilchinsky et al, 2010).…”

Religious/Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs, Frequency of Contact, and Gender as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities

“…With respect to the attitude referent, variables such as disability type (McCaughey & Strohmer, 2005; Ostapczuk & Musch, 2011; Smart, 2001) and the gender of the attitude referent (Weisel & Florian, 1990) have been associated with distinctive attitudinal valence. Variables of the attitude holder that relate to attitude valence include cultural background and norms (Goreczny et al, 2011; Westbrook & Legge, 1993), profession (Loo, 2001; Tervo et al, 2004), and certain personality attributes (Keller & Siegrist, 2010; Vilchinsky et al, 2010).…”

Religious/Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs, Frequency of Contact, and Gender as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities

“…With respect to the attitude referent, variables such as disability type (McCaughey & Strohmer, 2005; Ostapczuk & Musch, 2011; Smart, 2001) and the gender of the attitude referent (Weisel & Florian, 1990) have been associated with distinctive attitudinal valence. Variables of the attitude holder that relate to attitude valence include cultural background and norms (Goreczny et al, 2011; Westbrook & Legge, 1993), profession (Loo, 2001; Tervo et al, 2004), and certain personality attributes (Keller & Siegrist, 2010; Vilchinsky et al, 2010).…”