Examining Jordanians Attitudes Towards Five Types of Developmental Disabilities

Background: The diagnosis and reported rates of persons with developmental disabilities (PWDDs) in Jordan is steadily increasing. Although initiatives have been implemented to improve the lives of PWDDs, attitudes towards PWDDs hinder successful inclusion in the Jordanian society. Objectives: To examine the relationship between Jordanians socio-economic status and attitudes towards persons with developmental disabilities: autism, blindness, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy. Methods: Jordanians (N=259), ages 18-65 were recruited for this convergent parallel, mixed-methods study. Participants completed the modified 40-item Community Living Attitude Scale-developmental disability (CLAS-DD) and the modified Intellectual Disability Literacy Scale consisting of five vignettes, representing each developmental disability. Of the 259 participants, 32 were randomly selected for the qualitative phase of this study Results: A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze CLAS-DD, results revealed consistent significance between all subscales and income levels. For instance, sheltering scores revealed significance between income levels >800 (Mdn= 4.0) and <180 (Mdn = 4.57) (p= 0.006). Further, using A Welch test, IDLS findings showed differences of relationship between social distance and income level. The qualitative study confirmed the quantitative analysis; however, attitude vary depending by type of contact with persons with developmental disabilities. Conclusions: Few empirical studies related to PWDDs exist in Jordan. This foundation work can be utilized by the social, educational and public health sectors to understand determinants influencing attitudes towards persons with disabilities, prior to designing initiatives. Based on the findings, there is potential for inclusion of PWDDs in Jordan, with strategically designed disability awareness initiatives. DOI: 10.18297/rgh/vol1/iss2/4 Website: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/rgh Received Date: August 25, 2017 Accepted Date: April 3, 2018 Affiliations: 1Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 2Lemoyne College, Syracuse, NY 3Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA; New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA *Correspondence To: Najah Zaaeed, DrPH, MSW, MPA Work Address: Department of Public Health, Syracuse University David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics 443 White Hall, Syracuse, New York 13244 Work Email: nzaaeed@syr.edu 16 © ULJRGH 2018 Vol 1, (2) Original Research Negative attitudes may contribute to environmental, social and health barriers for PWDDs. [AlHeresh R, Bryant W, and Holm M, 2013] For instance, parking spaces and walkways accommodations for PWDs may be occupied by individuals without a disability, [Ghasemi B et al., 2011] which hinders a PWDDs ability to integrate into the environment. At the social level, PWDDs may face negative attitudes and stigma from society, which has diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. For example, contemplations regarding socialization, misconceptions and negative labeling are associated with awareness and attitude among ethnic minorities towards PWDDs.[Scior K et al., 2013] As for the impact on PDWDDs health, negative attitudes can result in negative outlook on health. For example, the probability of depression increased in Arab women with disabilities in the Middle-east and North African (MENA) region who experienced negative attitudes. [Kronfol NM, 2012] Overall, the negative attitudes can affect all aspects of PWDDs lives. In Jordan, the positive and increased knowledge towards PWDDs is actively pursued. According to Amr [2011] Jordanian educators attending an inclusive education training, reported positive attitudes towards readiness to increase knowledge of inclusive education, as they could share experiences. Though there is a positive shift towards increasing knowledge of special needs students’ disability, the information acquired knowledge may be general and teachers continue to lack a full understanding of the characteristic manifestations associated with a DD or how to address PWDDs health complications or behavioral concerns when presented in the classroom.[Alkhamra et al., 2012] Purpose of Study Our mixed-methods study provides a foundation to address a complex issue. Utilizing multiple instruments, we aim to assess the relationship between Jordanians socio-economic status and attitudes towards persons with DD specifically autism, blindness, cerebral palsy (CP), Down syndrome (DS) and muscular dystrophy (MD). Due to the lack of published literature regarding disability studies in Jordan, we hope that the findings of our study will serve as a foundation and contribution to disability-related research and initiatives in Jordan and the overall middle-east and North-African (MENA) region.