The attitudes of social workers toward women with physical disabilities exercising their reproductive rights

grantor: University of TorontoThis research was conducted to discover and describe the attitudes of social workers toward women with physical disabilities exercising their reproductive rights. It is particularly important since effective social work intervention depends on the attitudes of its practitioners. The sample was 289 third and fourth year social work students from Ryerson Polytechnic University's Bachelor of Social Work program. A self-administered questionnaire, using a Likert-type scale, was completed by 73% of the students. Analysis included examining responses to statements and comparing overall scores with demographic data and respondents' reported experience. Results indicated that social work students express relatively positive attitudes. Such attitudes are supportive of social work's professional values. The results appear contrary to other studies which suggest that negative attitudes are held by both health care professionals and the general public. However, responses to statements on concrete issues such as physical capabilities were significantly less positive than for general statements of principle.M.A