| Attitudes toward individuals with disabilities are multidimensional and complex. Theoretically based and/or empirical investigations published in the literature suggest a great variety of determinants that influence negative as well as positive attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. Determinants range from childhood experiences, developmental and psychodynamic mechanisms, state and trait anxieties, disability-related factors, demographic variables, environment, personality characteristics, and self-esteem, to name a few. Investigators have sought to "predict" attitudes toward individuals with disabilities in physical activity settings using several social-psychological factors such as belief systems based on desired outcomes, motivation, effort, subjective norms intentions, and perceived control. Attitudes are very contextual and influenced by both internally and externally generated characteristics of the individual observer, individual with a disability, and social-cultural environment, as well as the interactions of all above said factors. The endeavor to assess attitudes toward individuals with disabilities in the domain of physical activity has been extremely challenging. It has been difficult to establish a cause-and-effect relationship linking specific determinants that lead to attitude formation and contribute to the beliefs and normative components necessary to predict attitudes, behavior, and other factors that may affect physical activity professionals as they work with individuals with disabilities. This session will include; (1) a discussion of the importance of studying attitudes, (2) several different models currently investigating attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, and (3) the measurement challenges that researchers face, as well as alternative solutions to improve research design. Time will be provided in the session for discussion with the panelist and audience. |