Examination of variables affecting peer attitudes towards children with disabilities: a cross-sectional study

The attitudes developed towards disabled children by their peers at an early age play an important role in shaping disabled children's lives. By taking these cases into consideration, this study was conducted with the aim of 'examining the variables affecting peer attitudes towards children with disabilities'. The study conducted as cross-sectional and descriptive type. The data were collected from schools attended by inclusive or special education students, using a child descriptive information form and the 'Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps (CATCH)' Scale. For the statistical analysis of the data, percentage, t-test and ANOVA test were performed using the SPSS 23 software programme. Among the children included in the scope of the study, attitude scores were found to be significantly higher in girls, older children, children in interaction with a disabled individual or friend, and children studying at a school in an area with a low socioeconomic level. Economic level did not make a significant difference to attitudes. Considering that peer attitudes towards disabled children were affected by the gender, age, interaction with the disabled, and socioeconomic variables, important results were obtained for developing positive attitudes.