Attitudes Towards Physical Disability Scale Adaptation on a Russian Sample

Abstract

Objective. The Attitudes to Physical Disability Scale (ADS) adaptation.Background. Opinion polls show that in Russia perception of people with disabilities is complex and ambiguous. However, there is still no reliable method for measuring attitudes towards disability in Russia, but attitudes influence people with disabilities’ well-being and their inclusion.Study design. We conducted 2 studies. Within study 1 the original scale items were translated, tested at the stages of cognitive interviews and web-probing and corrected. Then a survey containing only the translated scale was conducted. In study 2 additional scales were included in the questionnaire in order to check the construct validity of the ADS.Participants. Study 1 sample included 627 respondents (45,6% men, Mage=35.99). Study 2 sample included 738 respondents (45,8% men, Mage=36.21).Measurements. During the research a series of cognitive interviews, web-probing and 2 surveys were conducted. Attitudes to Physical Disability Scale, social dominance orientation scale, just world belief scale and «Big Five Inventory» were used.Results. EFA results revealed the 3-factor structure of the Russian ADS version. CFA results indicated that the model has a good fit. Correlation analysis results proved scale construct validity, while high Cronbach’s α score proved its internal consistency.Conclusions. Russian ADS version proved to be a reliable and valid tool for investigating attitudes towards people with disabilities in Russia.