Factors underlying cross-cultural differences in stigma toward autism among college students in Lebanon and the United States
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...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | article |
| Published: |
2019
|
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10725/12418 https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318823550 http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/research/laur/terms-of-use/articles.php https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361318823550 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | 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. |
|---|