The Stereotypical Image of People with Down Syndrome from the Viewpoint of Female Special Education Students at Mu’tah University

Abstract

This study sought the perspective of female special education students at Mu’tah University to determine the stereotypical image of people with Down syndrome. To achieve the aims of this study, a scale testing the stereotypical image of people with Down syndrome was administered to a random sample of 120 female special education students. The results indicated that female special education students harbored a neutral stereotypical image of people with Down syndrome. In terms of the academic year, statistically significant differences favoring third- and fourth-year students were observed in the dimension of health-related problems. No differences were noted in the general stereotyping of people with Down syndrome between the academic years, students taking a course on intellectual disability, and respondents with previous experience in dealing with people with Down syndrome.

Received: 21 May 2023 / Accepted: 10 August 2023 / Published: 5 September 2023