Ethnic, Gender, and Contact Differences in Intimacy Attitudes Toward Wheelchair Users

Abstract

Student attitudes toward having a relationship with a wheelchair user were explored. Participants initially selected one of six opposite gender head shots and subsequently viewed their selection’s whole body photograph in a wheelchair along with reading a short biography. Primarily undergraduate Hispanic and Caucasian students ( N = 810) were surveyed regarding their interest in potentially being friends, dating, or marrying a wheelchair user, with 66% indicating they would have no problem dating or marrying a wheelchair user. Chi-square tests of pairwise association, logistical regression, and test of proportional odds revealed significant differences, p = .001, between ethnicity, gender, type of relationship, and having had a prior disability relationship. Personal traits of intelligence, humor, kindness, and physical appearance were rated most highly. Those unwilling to date or marry their selection perceived the partner would require too much caregiving, social interaction awkwardness, inability to sexually perform, and the partner being sick often. Counselors can benefit from informing clients about intimacy misconceptions by role-playing and providing clients with insights regarding societal beliefs.