TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge mediates attitude in autism spectrum disorders? Data from Malaysia
AU - Chu, Shin Ying
AU - Lee, Jaehoon
AU - Wong, Yee Yan
AU - Gan, Chun Hong
AU - Fierro, Veronica
AU - Hersh, Deborah
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors wish to thank all the participants for taking part in this study. Preparation of this manuscript is supported in part by the Industry Grant. (NN-2020-026, first author).
Publisher Copyright:
© The British Society of Developmental Disabilities 2021.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder.
AB - Limited efforts have been made in middle- and low-income countries to raise public awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) over the past ten years. We report data from a general population survey exploring the relationship between awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding autism in Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of items related to awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding ASD was distributed. The scores of knowledge of ASD and attitude towards ASD were 6.87 (SD = 4.17; with a total possible score of 12) and 6.39 (SD = 2.77; with a total possible score of 9), respectively, indicating that, on average, the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitude. Structural equation modeling showed that improving awareness and knowledge about ASD will enhance more positive attitudes towards ASD. Efforts should be geared towards disseminating information about ASD, in order to increase acceptance of the disorder.
KW - attitudes
KW - autism spectrum disorder
KW - children
KW - general public
KW - knowledge
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85114779515&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/20473869.2021.1975254
DO - 10.1080/20473869.2021.1975254
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85114779515
SN - 2047-3869
JO - International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
JF - International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
ER -