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The role of personality variables in predicting attitudes toward people with intellectual disability: An A ustralian perspective
Author(s) -
Page S. L.,
Islam M. R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12180
Subject(s) - openness to experience , psychology , agreeableness , personality , social psychology , big five personality traits , situational ethics , perspective (graphical) , prejudice (legal term) , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , extraversion and introversion , artificial intelligence , computer science
Background Personality dimensions such as openness and agreeableness have been found to be associated with prejudice levels towards several minority groups. Yet these variables have been mostly ignored by existing research into attitudes towards people with intellectual disability ( PWID ), which has primarily focused on contact and demographic variables. The current study investigated the relationship between personality dimensions and attitudes toward PWID . Methods An online survey was completed by 466 adult participants recruited through a variety of sources. The survey consisted of a well‐validated attitude survey, the B ig F ive inventory, contact related and demographic questions. Results The hypothesis that higher levels of the personality dimensions openness and agreeableness would be significantly associated with positive attitudes towards PWID was supported. However the effect was relatively weak and the strongest predicting factor of positive attitudes was increased quality of contact with PWID . More positive attitudes were also associated with females, more highly educated and younger participants. Conclusions Results provide support for an integrated (including person and situational factors) theoretical approach to attitudes research in this field. Practically, results support programmes that stimulate and promote quality interactions between PWID and the wider community.