Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to understand how Tourette's syndrome (TS) is conceptualised by adolescents and explore how individuals with TS are perceived by their typically developing peers.
Method: Free text writing and focus groups were used to elicit the views of 22 year ten students from a secondary school in South East England. Grounded theory was used to develop an analytical framework concerning how school children conceptualise TS.
Results: Misconceptions and a lack of familiarity contributed to the participants experiencing conflicting emotions towards peers with TS. An anticipated sense of discomfort was accompanied by feelings of both pity and sympathy towards individuals who they viewed as transcending the boundaries of normalcy. The participants maintained that they would avoid initiating meaningful social relationships while holding feelings of social politeness or even protection towards those with TS.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the need and provide directions for developing tailor-made school-based educational interventions about TS targeting typically developing adolescents in order to promote social inclusion.
Method: Free text writing and focus groups were used to elicit the views of 22 year ten students from a secondary school in South East England. Grounded theory was used to develop an analytical framework concerning how school children conceptualise TS.
Results: Misconceptions and a lack of familiarity contributed to the participants experiencing conflicting emotions towards peers with TS. An anticipated sense of discomfort was accompanied by feelings of both pity and sympathy towards individuals who they viewed as transcending the boundaries of normalcy. The participants maintained that they would avoid initiating meaningful social relationships while holding feelings of social politeness or even protection towards those with TS.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the need and provide directions for developing tailor-made school-based educational interventions about TS targeting typically developing adolescents in order to promote social inclusion.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 797 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 14 Aug 2016 |
Event | International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, World Congress, 15-19 Aug 2016, Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne, Australia Duration: 15 Aug 2016 → 19 Aug 2016 |
Conference
Conference | International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, World Congress, 15-19 Aug 2016, Melbourne, Australia |
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Abbreviated title | IASSID World Congress 2016 |
Country/Territory | Australia |
City | Melbourne |
Period | 15/08/16 → 19/08/16 |
Keywords
- Tourette's syndrome
- adolescents
- perceptions
- stigma