title: The role of personality variables in predicting attitudes toward people with intellectual disability: An Australian perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Personality dimensions such as openness and agreeableness have been found to be associated with prejudice levels towards several minority groups. Yet these variables have been mostly ignored by existing research into attitudes towards people with intellectual disability (PWID), which has primarily focused on contact and demographic variables. The current study investigated the relationship between personality dimensions and attitudes toward PWID.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was completed by 466 adult participants recruited through a variety of sources. The survey consisted of a well-validated attitude survey, the Big Five inventory, contact related and demographic questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hypothesis that higher levels of the personality dimensions openness and agreeableness would be significantly associated with positive attitudes towards PWID was supported. However the effect was relatively weak and the strongest predicting factor of positive attitudes was increased quality of contact with PWID. More positive attitudes were also associated with females, more highly educated and younger participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide support for an integrated (including person and situational factors) theoretical approach to attitudes research in this field. Practically, results support programmes that stimulate and promote quality interactions between PWID and the wider community.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Islam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Big Five inventory; attitudes; contact; intellectual disability; personality