Contact and Knowledge As Predictors of Attitudes Towards Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Backgrounds: Public attitudes towards persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have a significant effect on potential community integration. A better understanding of attitudes and predictors can help enhance social inclusion and quality of life for individuals with IDD. This study aims to (1) describe public attitudes towards persons with ID along affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions among Koreans and Korean-Americans and (2) investigate demographic variables, contact experience, and knowledge as predictors of attitudes toward people with IDD within the theoretical context of Intergroup Contact Theory

Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey design. A convenience sample of 1754 Korean and Korean-American adolescents and adults living in South Korea (n = 844) and the U.S. (n = 910) were recruited through churches, non-profit organizations for people with IDD, and online. The Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability Questionnaire (ATTID) was administered in Korean (61.8%) and English (38.2%). The sample was 53% female. The mean age was 28.9 (range 14 to 75). Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of multidimensional attitudes toward persons with IDD, demographic variables, contact-related and knowledge-related correlates, media exposure, cultural variables, and social desirability.

Results: Koreans had relatively more negative attitudes on affective and behavioral factors and a similar level of cognitive attitude, compared to Korean-Americans. Multiple regressions revealed that perceived general knowledge about IDD was unrelated to attitudes. More frequent contacts and more positive experience of contact, however, were associated with more positive attitudes, even when other significant variables were statistically controlled. These findings add support to previous findings that positive experiences may lead to less intergroup anxiety, less hostility, and less avoidance of outgroups. Positive attitudes were associated with all of the following variables: gender, education attainment, types of relationship with IDD, attendance of disability-related education program, media exposure, volunteer experience, and length of stay in the U.S. 

Implications: These results yield useful information to target public awareness educational programs and provide guidance in understanding to develop the interaction programs between people with and without IDD. These findings also support the development of legislation aimed at promoting successful integration and social participation of people with IDD.