Impact of an Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program on Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability.

Ashley J Harrison, Jennifer B Bisson, Carol B Laws
Author Information
  1. Ashley J Harrison: Ashley J. Harrison, The University of Georgia; Jennifer B. Bisson, Clemson University; and Carol B. Laws, The University of Georgia.
  2. Jennifer B Bisson: Ashley J. Harrison, The University of Georgia; Jennifer B. Bisson, Clemson University; and Carol B. Laws, The University of Georgia.
  3. Carol B Laws: Ashley J. Harrison, The University of Georgia; Jennifer B. Bisson, Clemson University; and Carol B. Laws, The University of Georgia.

Abstract

People with intellectual disability (ID) experience negative consequences as a result of stigmas held by the public. Students with ID involved in inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs demonstrate positive outcomes. This study examines the impact of an IPSE program on typically matriculating student attitudes toward ID. Explicit and implicit attitudes were measured at the start and end of a semester among IPSE volunteer peer mentors ( = 17) and an uninvolved student group ( = 14). Findings indicate that volunteers demonstrated lower discomfort after their volunteer experience, as measured by the Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability Questionnaire (ATTID). Volunteers also demonstrated higher knowledge of causes and preference for interaction with people with ID than nonvolunteers. This demonstrates that volunteer involvement in IPSE positively impacts attitudes toward people with ID among typically matriculating college students.

Keywords

MeSH Term

Attitude to Health
Education of Intellectually Disabled
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intellectual Disability
Male
Public Opinion
Social Stigma
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult

Word Cloud

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