Document Type

Restricted

Advisor

Nakia Hamlett

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Stigma surrounding disability, particularly learning and cognitive disability is often studied through the eyes of parents, caregivers, and educators in the field of psychology. The role of stigma in perceptions of disability is closely related to studies of culture and cross-cultural analyses. The present study aimed to understand Chinese American parents’ perceptions and experiences of raising children with learning disabilities in the United States. Researchers created a three-part survey which aimed to understand affiliate stigma, stigma felt by those who are closely related to a stigmatized population but do not hold the status of the stigmatized, as well as participants’ wider held conceptualizations of disability in social contexts. Participants were recruited from a variety of sources and a case-study format was used to analyze results (n=2). This approach led to a brief investigation of past literature on factors as to why the number of participants may have been so few and barriers to seeking support for children with learning and cognitive disabilities. The study found participants held average amounts of stigma, however further research is required to understand implications of perceived stigma held by parents and society towards children with learning and cognitive disabilities as well as ways to help mitigate cultural stigma.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.