Systematic Review of Belief in a Just World and its Impact on Policies for Children With Special Needs

Several countries have recently introduced more support for inclusive education with the belief that every child deserves an equitable education. However, policy implementation is often hampered by limited resources, exposing inequities that persist. Belief in a just world is the belief that the world is fair and people get what they deserve. This research explores how this belief influences the formation and implementation of policies relating to children with special needs, and the impact on their well-being and opportunities. This research method uses a literature review method with databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Google Scholar. The criteria used are studies published in the last five years from 2020-2024. The 14 studies reviewed indicate that belief in a just world (BJW) can influence policy in a negative or positive way depending on how these beliefs are integrated into policy formulation for children with special needs.