Perceived Satisfaction and Inequity: A Survey of Potential Romantic Partners of People with a Disability

Abstract

People with disabilities (PWD) may be stigmatized when dating. As suggested by previous research, people may avoid forming romantic relationships with PWD because they fear being stigmatized by association. We tested this explanation and proposed alternative reasons for the potential stigmatization of PWD. Specifically, we predicted that people may be less willing to date PWD because they stereotypically infer that such relationships may not be satisfying and may be inequitable, favoring the PWD more than themselves. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 390 single people regarding their willingness to date a potential romantic partner with a physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health disability. People were first presented with partners who had a general type of disability and later with partners who had a specific physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health impairment. For each partner, we also measured the extent to which people (1) feared stigma by association, (2) perceived the relationship would not satisfy their physical and emotional needs, and (3) be inequitable. Fitting with our hypotheses, perceived relationship satisfaction positively predicted, and perceived inequity negatively predicted, willingness to date PWD. Stigma by association was unrelated to willingness to date PWD. Implications for stigma-reduction interventions and online dating programs are discussed.