Influence of occupational therapy curricula on students' attitudes toward persons with disabilities

Am J Occup Ther. 1991 Feb;45(2):156-9. doi: 10.5014/ajot.45.2.156.

Abstract

The influence of occupational therapy curricula on students' attitudes toward persons with disabilities was studied. Twenty-six female students in either their first or fourth (i.e, final) semester of the occupational therapy curriculum were assessed with the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDP) (Yukor, Block, & Younng, 1966). A comparison group, 26 female students in either their first or fourth semester of the medical technology program, was also assessed with this scale. As hypothesized, the fourth-semester occupational therapy students showed significantly higher scores than did the other three groups of subjects. Also as predicted, this same group showed significantly higher scores than their first-semester counterparts and the fourth-semester medical technology students. No significant difference was found between first-semester and fourth-semester medical technology students. The occupational therapy curriculum appears to positively influence students' attitudes toward persons with disabilities.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Curriculum*
  • Disabled Persons / psychology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Occupational Therapy / education*
  • Students, Health Occupations / psychology*
  • United States