Measurement and Conceptualisation of Attitudes and Social Norms Related to Discrimination against Children with Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Measuring Discriminatory Social Norms Against Children With Disabilities to Improve Communication-Based Programs

“…To reduce discrimination against children with disabilities, it is imperative to determine the factors that lead to such behaviors. The conceptual model in Figure 1 is based on a systematic review of behavior change theories, disability, and discrimination conducted by the authors in 2017 (Sood et al, 2020).…”

“…However, current research on the conceptualization and practice around children with disabilities vary in quality. A systematic review by the authors of 44 studies on discriminatory attitudes and social norms related to children with disabilities revealed that such research generally lacks tools to accurately measure attitudes or social norms, clear definitions of key concepts, involvement of children, mixed-methods approaches, participatory methods, and a focus on social norms (Sood et al, 2020). Furthermore, the review found that most studies and programs do not approach research on discrimination against children with disabilities holistically or systematically.…”

“…Furthermore, the review found that most studies and programs do not approach research on discrimination against children with disabilities holistically or systematically. Of the 44 articles, only 25 used a theoretical framework, and only five of those used the Social Ecological Model (SEM) (Sood et al, 2020). The SEM stresses the importance of the multifaceted interactions between social and environmental factors and how they impact behavior (UNICEF, 2016).…”

“…Research using the SEM as its guiding framework would seek to gain the perspectives from stakeholders at every level: individual, family, community, and policy/systems. While children with disabilities, children without disabilities, parents, and professionals were all represented in the different peer-reviewed studies, only two of the 44 examined more than one type of audience (Sood et al, 2020). Additionally, the studies focused predominantly on knowledge, attitudes, and practice, with social norms being noticeably absent.…”

The lived experience of people with upper limb absence living in Uganda: A qualitative study

“…Studies in other settings have shown that, with partial or full loss of one hand or both hands, PWULA in Uganda have difficulty performing daily life activities and thus their quality of life diminishes and their reintegration in society becomes challenging (Shahsavari et al, 2020 ). Additional challenges are pain (Davidson, Khor & Jones 2010 ; Desmond & Maclachlan 2010 ), infections (Ajibade, Akinniyi, & Okoye 2013 ), muscle contractures (Baker & Clouse 2016 ), social and economic discrimination (Beisland & Mersland 2014 ; Murphy 2005 ; Sood et al 2020 ) and psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression (with women being more affected) (Armstrong et al 2019 ). Barriers to economic participation are also intersectional 1 with multidimensional poverty 2 (Eide, Khupe & Mannan 2014 ; United Nations Development Programme and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative 2019 ), gender-based violence (Guloba et al 2018 ) and poor access to prosthetic devices (Lao et al 2020 ) further affecting people with disability.…”