PORTUGUESE ADOLESCENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEERS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to explore the attitudes of adolescents toward peers with disabilities, as well as its relationship with sociodemographic and psychological variables and contact experience. A total of 190 students, between 12 and 17 years old, participated in this study. Data collection was made through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes Towards Children with Handicaps Scale, the Basic Empathy Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale. Results suggest that the attitudes of adolescents towards peers with disabilities are generally positive. Female, younger students and students who have contact with persons with disabilities out of school tend to have more positive attitudes. Empathy was positively correlated with attitudes.