Attitudes of students in inclusive classes towards their peers with special needs and affecting factors

Objective: This research was conducted to determine the attitudes of 9-13-year-old students in inclusive classrooms in Antalya towards their peers with special needs and the factors influencing these attitudes. Method: This is a descriptive study. The sample of the study consisted of 343 students aged 9-13 years attending inclusive classrooms in Döşemealtı during the academic year 2023-2024. Data were collected using a "Participant Characteristics Data Collection Form" and the "Chedoke-Mcmaster Attitudes Towards Children with Special Needs Scale". After obtaining ethical approval and institutional permission, data collection was conducted by the researcher between November 2023 and January 2024. A significance level of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the results. Results: Students scored above average on the Chedoke-Mcmaster Attitudes Towards Children with Special Needs Scale (72.57±13.06), with avoidance scoring the highest among the subscales and pity scoring the lowest. Students' attitudes towards their peers with special needs were found to be influenced by factors such as age, gender, grade level, place of residence, father's occupation, and mother's employment status (p <0.05). Conclusion: The attitudes of students who are older, female, live in the city center, have a father who is self-employed or a worker, and have a working mother are more positive. It is necessary to determine children's attitudes, identify any negative attitudes early on, and help them develop positive attitudes. Keywords: Attitude, Peer, Student, Child with Special Needs, School Health Nurse