Investigating Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes Towards People with Disabilities in Students of Isfahan University in 2015

Multi-dimensional measuring of attitudes toward people with disabilities leads to a better understanding of this concept and provides the foundation for design and implementation of appropriate interventions. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes towards People with Disabilities in 2015.
This cross-sectional study aimed at validating the test. The study population consisted of all students who were educating at the University of Isfahan in the academic year of 2014-15. From this community, a sample of 150 students )69 boys and 81 girls( were selected. The multi-stage random cluster sampling method was used in such a way that three faculties of University of Isfahan were selected, and then 5 classes were randomly selected from among classes in each college. After that, students were asked to answer questionnaires. The research data collection instruments were the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes towards People with Disabilities (MAS) and the questionnaire of demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, factor analysis,and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
The results obtained from specialists’ ideas indicated that the scale enjoys appropriate formal and content validity. Correlation coefficient of items with the total score in 23 items was significant and ranged from 0.48 to 0.53. The results of factor analysis indicated that the scale has been saturated with three factors (Affects, Cognitions & Behaviors) explaining totally 41.3% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.80 to 0.86 and the total alpha coefficient was equal to 0.83. Split-half alpha coefficient for the subscales ranged from 0.65 to 0.82 and 0.71 was the total alpha coefficient. Retest coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.53 to 0.61 and the total alpha coefficient was equal to 0.65 and showed appropriate validity of the MAS in the Iranian population.
According to the results obtained from the present study, it seems that the Persian version of the MAS enjoys acceptable psychometric properties and it can be used for assessing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components.