The Study on Physical Therapy Students Attitude and Behavior for the Person with Disability

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the attitudes and behavior of physical therapy students toward the disabled. The subjects were 776 students at 6 cities and provinces nationwide with physical therapy. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data from 800, and 776 returned forms was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 ver. As a summary of the results, first, there was a more positive significant difference in the behavior toward disabilities in men than women; the higher grade they were, the more negative the significant difference in attitude toward the disabilities. Second, the subjects with disabled family members or friends had a positive attitude and behavior. Third, there was no difference as to whether to take classes related to disabilities, and there was a positive significant difference in the students who took voluntary service. Based on these results, interactions with disabled people affect the positive attitudes and behaviors toward disabilities. In addition, implications of the important roles of education curricula to take direct experience are suggested.