Factors influencing entry-level occupational therapists' attitudes toward persons with disabilities. 1995

K Eberhardt, and W Mayberry
Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA.

Negative attitudes exhibited by rehabilitation professionals could have adverse consequences for persons with disabilities in their achievement of desired outcomes. Because occupational therapists are in a position to exert considerable influence in the therapeutic relationship, this study explored entry-level occupational therapy practitioners' equal status contact with and attitudes toward persons with disabilities. METHOD. Questionnaires were sent to 402 entry-level occupational therapists. These questionnaires consisted of: a demographic scale, the Disability Social Distance Scale, the Contact With Disabled Persons Scale, and a Similarity Scale (constructed for this study to evaluate the concept of equal status). Data analysis explored the relationship between 172 respondents' equal status perception and contact with persons with disabilities and their attitudes toward persons with disabilities. RESULTS. Respondents exhibited generally positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Perceived equality, personal and professional contact, and the majority of demographic factors were not significantly correlated with their attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Respondents who specified working with persons without disabilities in the wellness capacity exhibited more positive attitudes than those working with persons with biomechanical and neurological disabilities. In addition, respondents who had a greater frequency of professional contact with persons with disabilities also appeared to experience more personal contact with persons with disabilities. CONCLUSION. Entry-level occupational therapists' attitudes toward persons with disabilities may not only be influenced by parameters of the contact variable but also by the profession's holistic philosophy, the occupational therapy educational curricula, and the personal characteristics of those who choose to pursue a career in occupational therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009788 Occupational Therapy Skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. It assists in the development of skills needed for independent living. Ergotherapy,Therapy, Occupational,Ergotherapies,Occupational Therapies,Therapies, Occupational
D011897 Random Allocation A process involving chance used in therapeutic trials or other research endeavor for allocating experimental subjects, human or animal, between treatment and control groups, or among treatment groups. It may also apply to experiments on inanimate objects. Randomization,Allocation, Random
D003625 Data Collection Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data. Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D005260 Female Females
D006233 Disabled Persons Persons with physical or mental disabilities that affect or limit their activities of daily living and that may require special accommodations. Handicapped,People with Disabilities,Persons with Disabilities,Physically Challenged,Physically Handicapped,Physically Disabled,Disabilities, People with,Disabilities, Persons with,Disability, Persons with,Disabled Person,Disabled, Physically,Handicapped, Physically,People with Disability,Person, Disabled,Persons with Disability,Persons, Disabled
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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