Empowerment training and direct support professionals’ attitudes about individuals with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if viewing a training video on empowerment of individuals with an intellectual and developmental disability would change the attitudes of direct support professionals (DSPs). Participants were 43 DSPs from a human service provider to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We randomly assigned them to one of two groups. A control group completed the Community Living Attitude Scale (CLAS–MR) without viewing a training video on empowerment until after CLAS–MR completion. The experimental group viewed the video on empowerment and then completed the CLAS–MR. The hypothesis was supported in that DSPs who viewed the video prior to CLAS–MR completion had significantly more empowering attitudes towards individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities compared to the control group.

Keywords

empowerment intellectual disability professionals’ attitudes professional training

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