Attitudes Toward Adults with Cognitive Disabilities: An Empirical Study wit Staff Care

The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes of staff care toward relational dimensions and social interactions of adults with cognitive disabilities. We considered mild and moderate cognitive disabilities. The distinction between these two levels of cognitive disability is central because they imply different educational needs and different chances of rehabilitation. Participants were 151 members of staff care working in various rehabilitation and educational services (e.g. residential services, daytime services). A questionnaire containing two Semantic Differentials measuring attitudes toward adults with both two levels of cognitive disabilities and 26 items assessing various social and relational domains (e.g. social needs, romantic and sexual relations, motivation) was used. Results showed no differences in attitudes toward mild and moderate level of cognitive disabilities, positive attitudes toward adults with cognitive disabilities and toward social and relational investigated domains The only exception concerned attitudes towards sexual and romantic relations of adults with cognitive disabilities evaluated less positive than the other domains