ERIC Number: EJ1230669
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Factors Underlying Cross-Cultural Differences in Stigma toward Autism among College Students in Lebanon and the United States
Gillespie-Lynch, Kristen; Daou, Nidal; Sanchez-Ruiz, Maria-Jose; Kapp, Steven K.; Obeid, Rita; Brooks, Patricia J.; Someki, Fumio; Silton, Nava; Abi-Habib, Rudy
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v23 n8 p1993-2006 Nov 2019
Although stigma negatively impacts autistic people globally, the degree of stigma varies across cultures. Prior research suggests that stigma may be higher in cultures with more collectivistic orientations. This study aimed to identify cultural values and other individual differences that contribute to cross-cultural differences in autism stigma (assessed with a social distance scale) between college students in Lebanon (n = 556) and those in the United States (n = 520). Replicating prior work, stigma was lower in women than men and in the United States relative to Lebanon. Heightened autism knowledge, quality of contact with autistic people, openness to experience, and reduced acceptance of inequality predicted lower stigma. Collectivism was not associated with heightened stigma. Findings highlight the need to address structural inequalities, combat harmful misconceptions, and foster positive contact to combat stigma.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Cultural Differences, Social Bias, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Collectivism, Gender Differences, Individual Differences, Values, Social Distance
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Lebanon; United States
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale; NEO Five Factor Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A