Attitudes toward persons with a disability: An examination of demographic factors, social context, and specific disability.

Attempted to replicate the findings of S. A. Grand et al (see record 1983-08199-001) concerning the multidimensional nature of attitudes toward persons with a disability, and examined the relationship between attitudes toward persons with a disability and salient demographic and contact variables. 214 university faculty and staff (aged 19–73 yrs) completed a disability social relationship scale that examined attitudes about members of specific disability groups (people with cerebral palsy, epileptics, amputees, and blind people) in various situations (work, dating, marriage), and a demographic data form assessing age, education level, SES, gender, and religion. Results support the multidimensionality hypothesis, and a hierarchical regression analysis revealed that increased contact with persons with a disability, younger age, and higher levels of education were the best predictors of more favorable scores. However, demographic variables accounted for limited variance in attitudes. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)