Predictors of disability-related attitudes: considering self-esteem, communication apprehension, contact, and geographic location

Kate Magsamen-Conrad; Dinah Tetteh; Yen-I Lee

doi:10.2147/PRBM.S113218

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Predictors of disability-related attitudes: considering self-esteem, communication apprehension, contact, and geographic location

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Predictors of disability-related attitudes: considering self-esteem, communication apprehension, contact, and geographic location

Kate Magsamen-Conrad, Dinah Tetteh and Yen-I Lee

Psychology research and behavior management, Vol.9, pp.329-338

12/02/2016

DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S113218

PMCID: PMC5144909

PMID: 27980439

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Abstract

Individuals’ attitudes about persons with disability (PwD) strongly affect differently-abled persons’ quality of life and position in society. Some research offers support for the ability of systematic, supported, longitudinal contact between different groups of individuals to improve attitudes. College campuses, in particular, offer a potentially useful arena in which to facilitate this type of contact. This study explored contextual factors (eg, geographic region, biological sex) and predictors of disability-related attitudes among a college student population to determine strategies for course-based intervention design (eg, as community-engaged or service-learning initiatives). Surveying participants from universities in two regions of the United States, we found that self-esteem, audience-based communication apprehension, and contact with PwD explain more than 50% of the variance in disability-related attitudes. Further, we found that geographic location affects both self-esteem and audience-based communication apprehension (communicating/interacting with PwD). We discuss the implications for community engagement and/or service learning and highlight the importance of partnerships among relevant community stakeholders, including university faculty, students, and staff.

community partnerships

service learning

Original Research

regional culture

college students

intervention

PwD

quality of life

intergroup

community engagement

Details

Title: Subtitle: Predictors of disability-related attitudes: considering self-esteem, communication apprehension, contact, and geographic location
Creators: Kate Magsamen-Conrad - Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
Dinah Tetteh - Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
Yen-I Lee - Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychology research and behavior management, Vol.9, pp.329-338
DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S113218
PMID: 27980439
PMCID: PMC5144909
NLM abbreviation: Psychol Res Behav Manag
ISSN: 1179-1578
eISSN: 1179-1578
Publisher: Dove Medical Press
Language: English
Date published: 12/02/2016
Academic Unit: Communication Studies
Record Identifier: 9984002404802771

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