POLISH MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (PL-MAS) - ADAPTATION OF THE MAS SCALE BY L. FINDLER, N. VILCHINSKY, S. WERNER

Abstract

The aim of the research was to adapt the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) by Liora Findler, Noa Vilchinsky and Shirli Werner (2007). The accuracy of the tool was measured with the Empathetic Sensitivity Scale (SWE) by Maria Kaźmierczak, Mieczysław Plopa and Sylwiusz Retowski (2007). The study included 440 Poles without disabilities, aged 18 to 80 years. Three components of the Attitudes of Behavior α = .91, Knowledge α = .90 and Emotion α = .85 were distinguished. The components of the adapted scale coincided with the original version and their reliability was similar to those obtained by the authors of the Israeli MAS scale. As expected, significant positive correlations were revealed between the MAS Emotions and Personal Distress SWE scales, as well as negative correlations between the MAS Behavior and Knowledge indicators (items mainly negative) and the SWE Empathetic Concern and Perspective Taking indicators. It was concluded that adopted PL-MAS is a reliable and accurate tool that can be used in researching the attitudes of Poles.