Social-Distance Preferences among Female and Male Medical Students and Cardiac Patients toward Various Diseases and Disabilities

Abstract

Attitudinal differences of several non-disabled groups and one disabled group (cardiac) toward 33 disease/disability entities were investigated by using a modification of the Bogardus Social Distance Scale. 33 disease/disabilities were substituted for the original race names used by Bogardus. The scale was administered to several medical fraternities and a group of cardiac surgery patients. Significant differences were found between fraternity men and cardiacs on disease/disabilities which are usually not eligible for vocational services and between male and female medical students on the distance categories of “would marry” and “would not allow in home.” The results indicate definite attitudinal differences among non-disabled groups as well as between the disabled and non-disabled.