Does Interpersonal Contact Change Attitudes Toward People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities? the Case of Camp Agape

Background/Purpose:Despite the policies promoting the social inclusion and wellbeing of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), researchers have demonstrated that negative attitudes are both prevalent in our society and have serious negative consequences for people with I/DD (Siperstein, Norins, Corbin & Shriver, 2003; Yazbeck, McVilly, & Parmenter, 2004). Researchers have found one approach to reduce such negative attitudes is through contact with persons with I/DD (Antonak, Fiedler, & Mulick, 1993; Barr & Bracchitta, 2008; Hunt & Hunt, 2000; Yuker, 1994). This study was designed to address the methodological limitations of previously conducted studies. Most contact studies are measured retrospectively or in artificial situations (e.g., classrooms, laboratory). Thus, this quasi-experimental study was designed and tested to examine the effect of interpersonal contact experience on reducing negative attitudes toward persons with I/DD prospectively and in the proper context for how contact may work in the real world, within the theoretical context of Intergroup Contact Theory (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006).

Methods:Data were collected from 150 non-disabled, Korean-American adolescents and young adult participants who engaged in a one-to-one relationship with persons with I/DD during a summer camp, Camp Agape in California and 150 non-disabled Korean-American participants with no intervention. The data on attitude changes were measured before and immediately following the interventions based on self/group-administered questionnaire. It was also expected that demographic characteristics (age, gender, education attainment, religious preferences, and acculturation level); the quantity (types and frequency) and quality of previous contacts; prior knowledge about I/DD and disability-related educational program; perceived disability status; the effect of media as indirect contact; and the quality of the contact (bond and pleasantness) would correlate significantly with self-reported attitudes, and were used as a covariate in the analysis.

Results: Results using paired samples t-tests and mixed model Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated the intervention significantly reduced negative attitudes (cognitive, affective, and behavioral components) toward people with I/DD when compared to the control group and difference between the pre-test and the post-test score of attitude among the intervention participants. Results using Pearson correlation test negative attitudes score difference between the pre-test and the post-test score indicated that reduction in negative attitudes were correlated with the strength of the bond formed between the Camp Agape participants and their buddies (people with I/DD). The findings are discussed with regard to models of attitude change through equal-status contact.

Implications: Despite its exploratory nature and limitations on the data’s generalizability, the present study will provide empirical findings to develop and facilitate integration and interaction programs between individuals with and without I/DD and to plan policies and strategies to promote greater acceptance of individuals with I/DD into society. The results of this study can provide guidance in furthering our understanding of practical ways to promote more knowledge exchange about the causes of I/DD and about the capacity and rights of persons with I/DD and improve the quality of interactions between people with I/DD and those of the general population.