Although much research has been carried out to identify the demographic and psychological variables linked to distinctive attitudes toward persons with disabilities (PWD), no known research has measured the association between spirituality and attitudes toward PWD. In this study, a sample of non-disabled undergraduate and graduate university students was surveyed to measure for possible association. Ratings of spiritual involvement and beliefs and intrinsic spirituality were examined in relation to ratings in four attitudinal domains: inclusion, discrimination, gains, and prospects. Higher endorsement of spiritual involvement and beliefs was found to be significantly correlated with more favorable attitudes toward PWD for inclusion and prospects. Higher intrinsic spirituality was found to be significantly correlated with more favorable attitudes toward PWD for inclusion. A significant inverse association was also identified between higher intrinsic spirituality and more favorable attitudes toward PWD for gains. Differences in gender were also examined. Female students reported significantly more favorable attitudes toward PWD for prospects. Male students reported significantly more favorable attitudes toward PWD for discrimination and gains. Implications are discussed in light of the services provided to PWD by faith-based organizations. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2014. / July 1, 2014. / Attitudes, Disability, Spirituality / Includes bibliographical references. / Deborah Ebener, Professor Directing Thesis; Shengli Dong, Committee Member; James Sampson, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_185388 |
| Contributors | Fioramonti, Daniel (authoraut), Ebener, Deborah (professor directing thesis), Dong, Shengli (committee member), Sampson, James (committee member), Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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