Transitioning from decades of segregation: religiosity and the attitudes towards intellectual disability in Romania

ABSTRACT

As a post-communist country still transitioning from a culture of segregation of people with disability, Romania marks a distinct cultural space for studying the attitudes towards intellectual disability. In the current study, we investigated a prediction model which included age, gender, and religiosity as variables accounting for the variations in Romanian’s attitudes towards intellectual disability. Additionally, we measured the associations between participants’ educational level, knowledge about intellectual disability, and interaction with people with intellectual disabilities. Our sample consisted of 523 participants aged 18 to 74 (M = 29.02, SD = 9.57). The results suggested that older and male participants held more favourable attitudes. Furthermore, the regression analysis highlighted a significant prediction model for the attitudes towards intellectual disability, with religiosity being the most significant predictor. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the current findings given the social and cultural particularities.

KEYWORDS:

• Intellectual disability
• religiosity
• attitudes

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper. The authors declare no financial interests/personal relationships, which may be considered as potential competing interests.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexandra Maftei

Alexandra Maftei PhD Assistant teacher, Department of Educational Sciences, Iasi, Romania, various published articles regarding moral psychology, special education, social psychology.

Alois Gherguț

Alois Gherguț PhD Professor, Head of Department of Educational Sciences, Iasi, Romania, various published work regarding special education, inclusive practices.

Diana Roca

Diana Roca Student Department of Educational Sciences, Iasi, Romania, Special Education Specialization.

Oana Dănilă

Oana Dănilă PhD Lecture, Department of Educational Sciences, Iasi, Romania, various published work regarding couples and family psychology, emotionally focused therapy, interventions.