Abstract
Through this study the researchers intend to answer the following research questions: 1) Are social work students more likely to view parenting as problematic if the parent has an intellectual or developmental disability? 2) How do social work students’ perception of IDD impact their attitudes towards parents with IDD in the child welfare system? This study utilized a cross-sectional experimental quantitative research design and data were collected through a survey tool created by the researchers. Approximately half of participants were given a vignette describing a mother and child, and the mother’s perceived shortcomings and disclosure of IDD. The other half of participants received the same vignette, without the IDD disclosure. The researchers utilized non-probability purposive sampling and 117 students participated in the study. An ANOVA and Post-Hoc test, revealed a significant difference between Caucasian and Asian racial/ ethnic groups where stigma scores were higher in the Asian group than the Caucasian group. Thus, it is implied that cultural background could help explain the difference in stigma towards IDD. A negative correlation was also found between previous experience with IDD and level of stigma towards IDD. There was no significant difference found between the survey versions when examining an overall measure of parental severity. Participants did not seem to perceive a greater level of severity of parenting in the IDD condition of the survey. However, when analyzed separately, the survey questions yielded a different perspective. There was a significant difference noted in the first question, “The scenario above could be considered neglect.” Specifically, participants who received the IDD vignette were more likely to view it as neglect. Interestingly, there was also a difference of means for the question regarding the mother’s maternal fitness, where participants that received the IDD condition of the vignette rated her more highly than those in the neutral condition. This research seeks to provide insight on how students could benefit from more education and training regarding the IDD population and how their biases may or may not inform their practice, as well as provide further insight into how future social work students may be open to working with this vulnerable population in need of more helping professionals. Based on the results found in this study the researchers conclude that increasing students’ exposure to the IDD population through field experience with the IDD population can help decrease stigma overall and better prepare students’ in their social work careers.