The Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale: evidencing construct validity with factor analysis and measurement invariance in Greek-speaking healthcare students

Attitudes towards people with disabilities across different healthcare undergraduate students: A cluster analysis approach

“…High IDPS item scores suggest a negative attitude, while low item scores indicate a positive attitude towards PwD (items 10, 14, 15 are reversely scored) (Forlin et al., 1999; Gething & Wheeler, 1992). Although a total score is often calculated, six dimensions of the scale have been identified through factor analysis across several studies, that is, discomfort in social interaction, sympathy, fear, coping, vulnerability and knowledge (Bania et al., 2020; Forlin et al., 1999; Gething & Wheeler, 1992; Yoshida et al., 2003).…”

“…The construct validity of the Greek IDPS was shown through factor analysis, which demonstrated six stable dimensions, as identified across several studies (Forlin et al., 1999; Gething & Wheeler, 1992; Yoshida et al., 2003). The Greek IDPS mean score of healthcare professionals and healthcare students with frequent contact with PwD was shown to be different across those without frequent contact with PwD, demonstrating its discriminant validity (mean score difference = −4.5 and −11.0, respectively) (Bania et al., 2019, 2020). Test‐retest reliability and internal consistency were also calculated: ICC ≥ 0.86 and Cronbach's a ≥0.87, respectively (Bania et al., 2019, 2020).…”

“…The Greek IDPS mean score of healthcare professionals and healthcare students with frequent contact with PwD was shown to be different across those without frequent contact with PwD, demonstrating its discriminant validity (mean score difference = −4.5 and −11.0, respectively) (Bania et al., 2019, 2020). Test‐retest reliability and internal consistency were also calculated: ICC ≥ 0.86 and Cronbach's a ≥0.87, respectively (Bania et al., 2019, 2020). The original English IDPS version is a well‐validated self‐administered instrument developed by the Community of Disability and Ageing in Australia.…”

“…The Greek IDPS mean score of healthcare professionals and healthcare students with frequent contact with PwD was shown to be different across those without frequent contact with PwD, demonstrating its discriminant validity (mean score difference = −4.5 and −11.0, respectively) (Bania et al, 2019(Bania et al, , 2020. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were also calculated: ICC ≥ 0.86 and Cronbach's a ≥0.87, respectively (Bania et al, 2019(Bania et al, , 2020 Towards Disabled Persons (r = 0.37, p < 0.001); test-retest reliability and internal consistency were measured at r = 0.51-0.82 and Cronbach's a = 0.75-0.86, respectively (Forlin et al, 1999;Gething, 1994;Gething & Wheeler, 1992;Yoshida et al, 2003). The scale consists of 20 items assessing attitudes towards PwD on a personal level, by giving emphasis to those attitudes considered negative.…”

“…Furthermore, postgraduate nursing students had significantly more positive attitudes than both first-year nursing students and nurse professionals, while first-year nursing students had significantly more positive attitudes than nurse professionals (Matziou et al, 2009). Interestingly, the above studies conducted in Greek academic or healthcare settings do not investigate healthcare student familiarity or prior exposure/contact with PwD; yet both these are considered as significant factors relating to the attitude towards disability (Bania et al, 2019(Bania et al, , 2020Kritsotakis et al, 2017). The above studies also did not investigate the healthcare students' attitudes on a personal level by a deeper analysis of specific feelings, such as discomfort, fear or compassion, to determine which aspects of attitudes (towards disability) should primarily be addressed for improvement.…”