1. Physical Disability, Stigma, and Physical Activity in Children
- Author
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Barg, Carolyn J., Armstrong, Brittany D., Hetz, Samuel P., and Latimer, Amy E.
- Abstract
Using the stereotype content model as a guiding framework, this study explored whether the stigma that able-bodied adults have towards children with a physical disability is reduced when the child is portrayed as being active. In a 2 (physical activity status) x 2 (ability status) study design, 178 university students rated a child described in one of four vignettes on 12 dimensions of perceived warmth and competence. Results revealed a main effect of ability status on warmth (p less than 0.001) such that children with a physical disability were rated significantly higher in perceived warmth than able-bodied children, regardless of activity status (d = 0.86). Also, there was a significant interaction (p = 0.02) of ability and activity status on perceived competence, indicating that ratings of perceived competence were significantly higher for active children with a physical disability than for all other children (d = 0.54-0.64). Results suggest that physical activity should be explored as a way to mitigate the stigmatisation of children with a physical disability. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)
- Published
- 2010
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