Invisible barriers: validation of an instrument to assess the attitude towards people with intellectual disabilities

Introduction. The promotion of educational, social and labor inclusion is generating that people with intellectual disabilities are accepted by the community as full members. However, attitudes and behaviors towards these people are not always positive. Method: The purpose of this research was, based on a theoretical model called the FUNDOWN School of Life, to validate a simple instrument that allows collecting information on the position of adolescents and young people towards people with intellectual disabilities. To do this, an initial questionnaire was developed, which, after being judged by experts, was applied to 276 students from an Institute of Secondary Education in Murcia (Spain), through non-experimental quantitative research. Results: By calculating an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory one, applying the structural equations model, a two-factor questionnaire was obtained. Discussion or Conclusion: The construct validity and reliability was acceptable.