An investigation of educators’ attitudes toward physically disabled people in relationship to fear of death, locus of control and purpose in life

This exploratory descriptive study investigated educators' attitudes toward physically disabled people in relationship to their purpose in life, fear of death and locus of control. The sample consisted of 457 subjects from approximately 71 elementary and 42 junior and senior high schools (226 teachers, 137 administrators and 65 counsellors) in seven suburban Winnipeg school divisions. Volunteers completed: a demographic questionnaire, the Attitude Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ATDP), the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (I-E), the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (FOD), and the Purpose in Life Test (PIL). An ANOVA calculated for the ATDP scores of school administrators, counsellors and teachers found no statistically significant difference at the .05 level of significance. Pearson r correlations were calculated for ATDP scores paired with FOD, PIL and I-E scores obtained by a) educators, b) teachers, c) school administrators, and d) school counsellors. Correlations for ATDP scores paired with the FOD, PIL and I-E scores of educators and teachers were all statistically significant. ATDP and I-E correlations were statistically significant for administrators; ATDP and FOD scores correlated significantly for counsellors. The ATDP and FOD scores of educators, teachers and counsellors correlated negatively. Those with the most positive attitude toward disabled people tended to have the least fear of death. ATDP and PIL scores correlated positively for educators and teachers. Those with a more positive attitude toward physically disabled people tended to have a stronger purpose in life. ATDP and I-E scores of educators, teachers, and administrators correlated negatively. Those with a more positive attitude toward physically handicapped people tended to see themselves as more internally controlled. ANOVA calculations were made for sex, age and number of years employed in education. The female ATDP scores were slightly higher than the male in all professional groupings however the difference was statistically significant only for administrators. No statistically significant difference was found for age or number of years employed in education. Elementary school educators demonstrated a significantly more positive attitude toward physically handicapped people than those employed in junior or senior high schools. There were no significant differences in ATDP scores between elementary and high school a) administrators, b) counsellors, c) teachers. The elementary-high school attitude difference was considered to be a statistical artifact and not a true significant difference. There were no statistically significant differences between disabled and nondisabled educators on ATDP, PIL and FOD scores. Handicapped educators scored significantly higher (felt significantly more in control of their lives) on the I-E scale. Both the female and male nondisabled educators' means were significantly more positive than the norms for the general female and male nondisabled population. The disabled female mean was significantly higher than the norm for the general disabled female population. Educators who were of the opinion that physically disabled students should attend special schools for the disabled had a significantly less positive attitude toward physically disabled people than those who did not choose this programing option. Educators who were of the opinion that physically disabled students should attend regular classes and receive the assistance of special support services had a significantly more positive attitude toward physically disabled people than educators who did not choose this option. Two other options were nonsignificant. The study concluded with a discussion of the statistical findings, limitations of the study, implications for further study and a summary.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat