Attitudes of students towards peers with special educational needs in mainstream Portuguese schools. Issue 5 (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dias, Paulo César; Mamas, Christoforos; Gomes, Rubina
• Is Part Of: European journal of special needs education. Volume 35:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 636
• Page End: 647
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Attitudes -- peers -- inclusion -- proximity -- knowledge; Special education -- Europe -- Periodicals; 371.905
• DOI: 10.1080/08856257.2020.1743410
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6257

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the attitudes of students towards peers identified as having special educational needs (SEN) in Portuguese mainstream schools. Data were collected from a sample of 1093 students from 5 th to 9 th grade across Madeira Autonomous Region. Data collection instruments included the Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes Towards Children with Special Needs Scale and a brief questionnaire covering sociodemographic and proximity information and knowledge about special needs. The results of multivariate analysis indicate more favourable attitudes in girls, younger participants and those with lower educational levels. Additionally, proximity, contact and knowledge related to special educational needs appear to be determinants of positive attitudes. The discussion of inclusion in schools and gender appear to be the factors most associated with students' attitudes towards peers with special educational needs in mainstream education. Implications and further studies are presented.