Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

An Assessment of Perceived Antecedents to Attitudes of College Students towards Children with Autism

Dr. Meungguk Park, Dr. Morgan Chitiyo, Dr. Changdeog Huh, Dr. Waganesh Zeleke
  • Dr. Meungguk Park (Author) Southern Illinois University Carbondale image/svg+xml
    Dr. Meungguk Park is an Associate Professor of Sport Administration in the Department of Kinesiology at Southern Illinois University. His research interests include public service advertisements, charity-affiliated sporting events, attitudes towards autism, and corporate sponsorship associated with the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics. Dr. Park has practical experience working in several sport organizations, including the Ohio Wheelchair Games, the OSU Adapted Recreational Program, and Special Olympics Illinois. Currently, he is serving as a regional leadership board member for the American Cancer Society.
  • Dr. Morgan Chitiyo (Author) Duquesne University image/svg+xml
    Dr. Morgan Chitiyo is Department Chair and Professor of Special Education at Duquesne University. He is also co-editor of the African Journal of Special and Inclusive Education, associate editor of the Journal of International Special Needs Education, and former editor of the Journal of the International Association of Special Education. His research interests include positive behavior supports, autism, and special education professional development. He has received several awards for his outstanding contributions in teaching, research, and service.
  • Dr. Changdeog Huh (Author) Yeungnam University image/svg+xml
    Dr. Changdeog Huh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Yeungnam University, South Korea. Currently, he teaches Social Psychology, Sociological Perspectives on Social Problems, and Emotional or Psychological Aspects of Love. His research interests include social welfare policies for people with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, social movements and the framing perspective, and multiculturalism in East Asia. Dr. Huh is serving as the director of the university partnership program at Yeungnam University.
  • Dr. Waganesh Zeleke (Author) Duquesne University
    Dr. Waganesh Zeleke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education at Duquesne University where she teach different graduate level courses. She is a licensed clinical Mental Health counselor and national certified counselor. Her clinical experience includes counseling and consultation services focusing on autism, child-family relationship development, Post-traumatic stress disorder, parenting consultation, intercultural adoption, attachment, mental health issues among immigrant population, and childhood mental disorders in the US and Africa. Dr. Zeleke has co-authored/authored more than 17 publications and book chapters in topics related to children with special needs, clinical interviewing, autism, and family relational development, mental healthcare access and utilization of children with ASDs in Africa and USA.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.393
Abstract
This study examined the extent to which six antecedent variables influenced college students’ attitudes towards autism. A comprehensive literature review and factor analysis identified the six perceived antecedents, including "learning and volunteer experience," "family/friends with autism," "parental role," "exposure to children with autism," "mass media influence," and "inclusion belief toward autism." A total 195 college students participated in the study. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that the regression model was significant (p < 0.001), and the six antecedent variables explained 18% of the variance. "Inclusion belief" was found to be a significant predictor of attitudes ([beta] = 0.32, p < 0.01). In addition, "gender," "student major," "personal learning" and "volunteer experience" were found to influence personal attitudes.
Keywords
Attitudes toward Disabilities, Autism, Beliefs, Children, College Students, Family Influence
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How to Cite
Park, M., Chitiyo, M., Huh, C., & Zeleke, W. (2019). An Assessment of Perceived Antecedents to Attitudes of College Students towards Children with Autism. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 14(2), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.393

Spring/Summer 2019

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  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted April 16, 2019
  • Published June 15, 2019
  • Issue Spring/Summer 2019
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