Title
Attitudes of Taiwanese employees toward their support co-workers with intellectual disabilities
Advisor
Ososkie, Joseph N.
Committee Member
Fried, Juliet H.
Committee Member
Bezyak, Jill
Committee Member
Collins, Susan M.
Department
Human Rehabilitation
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Text
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
5-1-2012
Genre
Thesis
Extent
17o pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Description
Negative attitudes held by employers toward people with disabilities (PWDs) has been constantly regarded as one of the most influential factors that limits work opportunities for PWDs. However, unwilling or unfriendly attitudes toward working with employees with disabilities held by co-workers without disabilities can also have significant effects that may lead PWDs to fail or become unable to maintain their jobs. Yet, very limited research has been conducted to examine attitudes of Taiwanese employees toward their co-workers with disabilities. Therefore, the major objective of this study was to investigate the attitudes of Taiwanese employees without disabilities toward individuals and their supported co-workers with intellectual disabilities. There were 135 individuals who worked with their co-workers with intellectual disabilities that participated in this study. The findings of the study indicated that the general attitudes of Taiwanese employees toward individuals with intellectual disabilities and their affective reactions toward their co-workers with intellectual disabilities were positive. These discoveries were contrary to the previous beliefs that Taiwanese people tended to have societal stigma toward people with intellectual disabilities and have negative attitude toward their co-workers with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the outcomes also showed that the research participants who had longer work contact with their co-workers with intellectual disabilities tended to have more positive attitudes toward them. Promoting supported employment trainings and opportunities for qualified people with intellectual disabilities was recommended. Furthermore, the best predictor of the affective reactions to coworkers with intellectual disabilities was age and duration of work contact upon consideration of the results of the multiple regression analysis. Finally, propositions for further relevant research were provided in order to obtain a deeper understanding of perspectives of Taiwanese people toward PWDs in general and in the workplace.
Notes
Release from extended embargo in December 2015.
Degree type
PhD
Degree Name
Doctoral
Place
Taiwan
Language
English
Local Identifiers
Hsu_unco_0161D_10124
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by author.
