SOCIJALNA DISTANCA VEĆINSKE POPULACIJE PREMA OSOBAMA SA INTELEKTUALNIM POTEŠKOĆAMA
SOCIAL DISTANCE OF GENERAL POPULATION TOWARDS THE INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Summary/Abstract: Introduction Social distance is frequently used as an indicator for discrimination and refers to the tendency of people to avoid contact with stigmatized populations, including people with intellectual disabilities. Aim To explore the level of social distance among general population towards the individuals with intellectual disabilities and investigate the significant correlates. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in family medicine outpatient departments of the Primary Health Care Centre of Sarajevo Canton. The study included 240 respondents. The research instruments included general socio-demographic data questionnaire and social distance scale (modified Bogardus scale). Results The median value of the social distance scale was 17 (minimum, 6; maximum, 30; interquartile range, 0–2). The level of social distance increases if situations imply ‘social closeness.’. The closest social relationships (marriage) are at the top of the scale. Male participants held attitudes that reflected greater social distance than female (p= 0.016). Older participants expressed greater s social distance than younger, but not statistically significant (p= 0.323). Conclusion While current practices strive to include individuals with intellectual disabilities in community opportunities, stigmatizing attitudes held by the public can be a barrier to achieving true social inclusion.

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