Perspectives of Faculty toward Students with Psychological Disabilities

The purpose of this study is to better understand the subjective viewpoints of faculty members toward students with psychological disabilities as a subset of the larger student population with unique needs due to the hidden nature of the barriers they experience. This Q methodology study explores the views of 29 faculty who have taught students with psychological disabilities at a large public university in Ohio. This study identified four perspectives: the Nearby Navigator, the Cynical Chauffeur, the Considerate Co-Pilot, and the Individualized Driving Instructor. The researcher used the chi-square test of independence to determine if there was a relationship between factor loading and the demographic characteristics of tenure, gender, years of teaching, and disability connection. There were no statistically significant relationships. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]