Poster #34 - Attitudes Toward People With Disabilities: Contact and Empathy as Factors Influencing Nondisabled Elementary Children

• In Event: 75.043 - MTCC Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: 75.043-7 - Human Development 1

Abstract

Because of the continuing negative attitudes toward people with disabilities in society, this study examined attitudes toward people with disabilities in nondisabled elementary school children with contact and empathy as hypothesized factors. A sample of 2279 nondisabled children were administered scales measuring attitudes toward people with disabilities, contact with such people, and empathy. The results found that except for contact through family relationship, all types of measured contact (friendship and interaction), and empathy were positively related to the attitudes, more contact and empathy correlated with more positive attitudes. Older children and females also held more positive attitudes. Implications for practice and research are suggested. The study has expanded research and practice with a vigorous design and specific foci for intervention.

Author

• Lily L. Dyson, University of Victoria