Multidimensional attitudes toward persons with disabilities in Saudi Arabia: dimensional differences, demographic correlates, and implications for human health

Societal attitudes are environmental factors bearing on the health and participation of persons with disabilities, yet Arabic-language evidence is scarce. This cross-sectional study assessed affective, cognitive, and behavioral attitudes toward persons with disabilities, and their demographic correlates, among 548 Saudi adults with a culturally adapted Arabic version of the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale (refined 23-item scoring). The three-factor model showed acceptable reliability, absolute fit within common bounds but incremental fit below conventional benchmarks, and loadings and intercepts that did not differ detectably by gender; the psychometric evidence is preliminary and requires independent replication. Reported negativity was in the lower scale range but differed across dimensions (partial eta squared = 0.16): cognitive appraisals were highest and behavioral intentions lowest. Affect correlated negatively with cognitions only among respondents with prior contact, suggesting that the affective subscale indexes anticipated interaction discomfort rather than evaluative negativity. Women’s higher anticipated discomfort lost significance once contact was controlled. Prior contact was the strongest correlate (23.1% incremental variance in affect), associated with less discomfort (d = 1.35) but more negative cognitions (d = 0.36) and avoidance intentions (d = 0.80). These correlational findings support multidimensional assessment and cognition-targeted training and warrant longitudinal or experimental investigation of contact interventions.