The Attitude Towards Students Diagnosed as Severely Mentally Handicapped in University Environment and Leisure

Authors

• Minna Saarinen Helsingin yliopisto

Abstract

The study examines the attitude of university staff and students towards a 23-year-old female student diagnosed with severe mental impairment in a campus-based inclusion program. The attitudes are revealed after observing for half a year the behaviour of fellow students, university teachers and other members of the personnel. This is a qualitative case study using observations, interviews and documents. The data is analysed using a content analysis and typologies. The typologies are equal, protective, passive and negative types of attitude. The study includes social interactive and non-interactive situations, on which the regulation of attitudes is based. Passive and equal attitudes had the highest prevalence in the study, while protective and negative attitudes were scarce.