Students’ attitudes towards individuals with an intellectual disability

Authors:
PATEL Meera, ROSE John
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 18(1), 2014, pp.90-103.
Publisher:
Sage
Place of publication:
London

The aim of the study was to investigate attitudes held by a British student population towards individuals with an intellectual disability. Students participated in focus groups addressing their attitudes, behaviours and perceptions of individuals with an intellectual disability. Thematic analysis was the method used to identify emergent themes. Results identified five main themes in relation to intellectual disabilities. The themes suggest that attitude scales fail to effectively measure the multidimensional nature of British student’s attitudes towards intellectual disabilities. One out of the five emergent attitude themes from the current study is sufficiently represented in measures of attitudes towards intellectual disability. These results suggest a need to modify current attitude scales or develop new ones to measure the British population’s attitudes towards intellectual disabilities. A lack of knowledge about intellectual disabilities was also identified. Participants recognized exposure through the media as a tool to increase knowledge. (Publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, students, attitudes, higher education;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1744-6309
ISSN print:
1744-6295

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts