Research Summary: Gender differences in attitudes toward disability among university students in health and education programs

A study initiated by Frontiers in Education (International) aims to investigate how attitudes toward disability differ among university students based on gender, academic program (health and education), and prior contact with individuals with disabilities. The research seeks to identify if the underlying factors contributing to favorable attitudes also vary by gender. A cross-sectional comparative study involving 446 university students from Extremadura is underway.

Why it matters

Understanding the factors that shape attitudes toward disability is critical for developing effective strategies to promote inclusion across various sectors, particularly in health and education. Insights into gender-specific differences can inform targeted interventions and curriculum development, fostering a more equitable and accessible society.

Key insights

• Positive attitudes toward disability are recognized as fundamental for fostering inclusive educational and healthcare environments.
• The current evidence base is not conclusive regarding the influence of gender, academic discipline, or prior contact on students' attitudes toward disability.
• The study specifically targets university students enrolled in health and education degree programs.
• A secondary objective is to analyze whether the factors contributing to positive attitudes differ based on gender, utilizing classification tree analysis.
• The methodology involves a cross-sectional comparative study with 446 participants from Extremadura.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1928021