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Salinas-Quiroz F, Balkcom JH, Hermosa-Bosano C, Olaya-Torres A, Costa PA. Comfort with LGB people and attitudes toward same-sex parenting in Continental American Hispanic Nations. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7705. [PMID: 38565954 PMCID: PMC10987635 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56901-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Negative attitudes toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals leads to a perceived inability of LGB individuals to foster 'appropriate' family relationships, inciting negative attitudes specifically toward same-sex parenting. Intergroup and interpersonal relationships play a critical role in fostering attitudes toward others wherein type of contact, frequency, degree of closeness in the relationship, and the positivity/negativity of interactions are potential mediator of these relations, Moreover, the mechanism behind co-constructing positive relationships with sexual and gender minorities is comfort with contact with LGB individuals. The present study explored the effects of interpersonal contact and the mediator role of comfort with LGB people in explaining attitudes toward same-sex parenting in Spanish-speaking countries in North, Central, and South America. These countries are of particular interest given the dearth of research in the region on attitudes toward same-sex parenting as well as the varying degrees of acceptance of and protections for same-sex parented families. A non-probabilistic sample of 1955 heterosexual cisgender participants from 14 countries was asked to complete a series of sociodemographic questions, a questionnaire about their interpersonal contact/comfort experiences with LGB people, and the Attitudes Toward Gay and Lesbian Parenting Scale. Results showed that comfort was vital in fostering accepting attitudes toward Same-Sex Parenting across countries. Findings also suggested that comfort with LGB people has a particularly powerful influence in regions with less legal and cultural acceptance of LGB individuals. Policies are not enough to instill widespread change: we must encourage, facilitate, and supervise the formation of relationships with LGB people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Salinas-Quiroz
- Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, USA.
| | - Julian H Balkcom
- Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, USA
| | | | - Adriana Olaya-Torres
- Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, University of Ibagué, Ibagué, Colombia
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Wang J, Liu Y, Fu G, Chen Y, Wu L, Pan M, Yang Y, Chen Z, Cao Y, Li Y, Wang H, Wang B, Du R, Xiong Y, Liu W, Xu N, Xia X, Li Q, Lv C, Ruan F. Validation of Herek's attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men scale among undergraduates in mainland China. Front Psychol 2022; 13:842397. [PMID: 36275329 PMCID: PMC9582245 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.842397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of a standardized reliable and valid instrument makes it difficult to measure attitudes toward lesbian women and gay men (ATLG) consistently and thus poses a challenge to compare and contrast intervention measures. This study aimed to validate Herek's ATLG scale among undergraduates in mainland China and identify factors associated with negative attitudes toward LG. A total of 6,036 eligible undergraduates conveniently drawn from 30 provinces across mainland China were randomly split in half. Item analysis was first used to select unrelated or redundant items for deletion. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were then conducted on the first half of the sample (n = 3,001), followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis in the second half (n = 3035). Logistic regression analyses were finally carried out to identify their determinants. Six items were removed from the item analysis. EFA supported the existence of two factors (ATL and ATG). CFA results indicated that the two-factor model fit the data better than the one-factor model. Logistic regression analyses indicated that being female, majoring in non-health-related disciplines, attributing homosexuality to uncontrollable causes, non-adherence to traditional gender norms and exposure to homosexual content were significantly associated with less negative attitudes toward both L and G. Urban students were marginally less likely to express negative attitudes toward L but not G, while non-heterosexuals and those who had prior personal contact with homosexuals exhibited less negative attitudes toward G but not L. However, grade showed no significant associations with either ATL or ATG. The retained 14-item version of Herek's ATLG scale has been proven to be a reliable and valid tool. Furthermore, ATL and ATG were determined by different factors and thus would be treated separately. In order to reduce negative attitudes toward LG among undergraduates in mainland China, a comprehensive intervention plan such as conducting comprehensive sex education and pushing the process of legalizing same-sex marriage should be designed, implemented and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfang Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yusi Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Guochen Fu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental General Medicine Education of Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Mingliang Pan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yuli Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Bixiang Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Ruyi Du
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yanting Xiong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Nuo Xu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Xiaobao Xia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Chengcheng Lv
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Fang Ruan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
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