Attitudes of Students of the Catholic University of Croatia Towards People with Disabilities: Cross - Sectional Study

Uvod: Stavovi prema osobama s invaliditetom oblikuju inkluzivnost i jednakost. Pozitivni stavovi cijene svoje sposobnosti, daju jednake mogućnosti i izazivaju stereotipe. Negativni stavovi i dalje postoje zbog nedostatka svijesti i društvenih predrasuda. Promjena stavova uključuje obrazovanje, kampanje podizanja svijesti i poticanje inkluzivnih okruženja. Poticanje pozitivnih stavova obogaćuje naše kolektivno iskustvo. Cilj istraživanja: Cilj ovog rada je ispitati stavove studenata Hrvatskog katoličkog sveučilišta prema osobama s invaliditetom te utvrditi postoji li razlika s obzirom na smjer studija te spol. Metode: Istraživanje je bilo presječnoga tipa. Istraživanje je provedeno internetski te je bilo namijenjeno svim studentima Hrvatskoga katoličkoga sveučilišta. Prvi dio pitanja uključuje sociodemografske karakteristike, a u drugom je dijelu rada za operacionalizaciju stavova prema osobama s invaliditetom koristio se „Attitude Toward Disabled Persons Scale, ATDP” upitnik. Rezultati: Velika većina studenata Hrvatskog katoličkog sveučilišta susrela se s osobama s invaliditetom, ponajviše studenti sestrinstva i medicine. Studenti naglašavaju kako se ne osjećaju nelagodno u društvu osoba s invaliditetom. Također, ne smatraju da su osobe s invaliditetom mrzovoljne niti da se sažalijevaju i srame svojeg stanja. Zaključak: Istraživanja o stavovima prema osobama s invaliditetom mogu doprinijeti podizanju svijesti o važnosti inkluzivnog društva i jednakosti za sve. Otkrivanje negativnih stavova ili nedostatka znanja o osobama s invaliditetom može potaknuti raspravu i educirati ljude o tome kako razumjeti i olakšati njihovu integraciju u društvu. Istraživanja o stavovima prema osobama s invaliditetom imaju ključnu ulogu u razumijevanju društvenih dinamika i potreba osoba s invaliditetom. Ona pružaju temelje za stvaranje inkluzivnog društva koje omogućuje osobama s invaliditetom puno sudjelovanje i dostojanstven život bez diskriminacije i predrasuda.Introduction: Attitudes towards people with disabilities shape inclusiveness and equality. Positive attitudes value one's abilities, provide equal opportunities, and challenge stereotypes. Negative attitudes persist due to a lack of awareness and societal prejudices. Changing attitudes involves education, awareness campaigns, and fostering inclusive environments. Encouraging positive attitudes enriches our collective experience. The aim of the research: This study aims to examine the attitudes of students from the Croatian Catholic University towards people with disabilities and determine if there are any differences based on the field of study and gender. Methods: The research was cross-sectional. The research was conducted online and intended for all Croatian Catholic University students. The first part of the questionnaire includes sociodemographic characteristics, and in the second part of the study, the 'Attitude Toward Disabled Persons Scale, ATDP' questionnaire was used to operationalize attitudes towards disabled persons. Results: A large majority of students at the Croatian Catholic University have encountered people with disabilities, primarily nursing and medical students. Students emphasize that they do not feel uncomfortable in the company of people with disabilities. They also do not consider individuals with disabilities to be irritable or pity them for their condition. Conclusion: Research on attitudes towards people with disabilities can contribute to raising awareness of the importance of an inclusive society and equality for all. Revealing negative attitudes or lack of knowledge about people with disabilities can stimulate discussion and educate people on how to understand and facilitate their integration into society. Research on attitudes towards people with disabilities plays a key role in understanding social dynamics and the needs of people with disabilities. It provides the foundation for creating an inclusive society that enables people with disabilities to fully participate and lead a dignified life without discrimination and prejudice