Emirati Student Attitudes Toward People with Intellectual Disabilities

Exploring attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities may provide understanding on the acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. While these attitudes have been explored globally, the United Arab Emirates is one context in which the attitudinal literature is limited. This study explored Emirati student attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities with the Community Living Attitudes Scale - Intellectual Disability (CLAS-ID). Principle Components Analysis indicated that the CLAS-ID's four factor structure did not fit our sample. Instead, a three-factor model fit best, which includes Empowerment, Inclusion and Assistance. Having an extended family member with a disability predicted endorsement for Empowerment and Inclusion and less endorsement for Assistance. Higher economic status also predicted more endorsement of Empowerment and Inclusion; females had higher endorsement of Inclusion attitudes. Some of our findings reflect those found in other countries but further research is needed to better understand attitudes important to the Emirati cultural milieu.