The decision to remove homosexuality from the DSM: twenty years later

An Ontological Framework to Facilitate Early Detection of 'Radicalization' (OFEDR)-A Three World Perspective

This paper presents an ontology that involves using information from various sources from different disciplines and combining it in order to predict whether a given person is in a radicalization process. The purpose of the ontology is to improve the early detection of radicalization in persons, thereby contributing to increasing the extent to which the unwanted escalation of radicalization processes can be prevented. The ontology combines findings related to existential anxiety that are related to political radicalization with well-known criminal profiles or radicalization findings. The software Protégé, delivered by the technical field at Stanford University, including the SPARQL tab, is used to develop and test the ontology. The testing, which involved five models, showed that the ontology could detect individuals according to "risk profiles" for subjects based on existential anxiety. SPARQL queries showed an average detection probability of 5% including only a risk population and 2% on a whole test population. Testing by using machine learning algorithms proved that inclusion of less than four variables in each model produced unreliable results. This suggest that the Ontology Framework to Facilitate Early Detection of 'Radicalization' (OFEDR) ontology risk model should consist of at least four variables to reach a certain level of reliability. Analysis shows that use of a probability based on an estimated risk of terrorism may produce a gap between the number of subjects who actually have early signs of radicalization and those found by using probability estimates for extremely rare events. It is reasoned that an ontology exists as a world three object in the real world.

Factors associated with homophobia in medical students from eleven Peruvian universities

BACKGROUND

The consequences of homophobia can affect the integrity, mental and physical health of homosexual individuals in society. There are few studies in Peru that have evaluated homophobia in the medical student population.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the social, educational and cultural factors associated with homophobia among Peruvian medical students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 12 medicine schools in Peru. Homophobia was defined according to a validated test, which was associated with other variables. Statistical associations were identified.

RESULTS

The lowest percentages of homophobic students (15-20%) were found in the four universities in Lima, while universities in the interior of the country had the highest percentages (22-62%). Performing a multivariate analysis, we found that the frequency of homophobia was lower for the following variables: the female gender (PRa=0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92; p=0.005), studying at a university in Lima (PRa=0.57; 95% CI, 0.43-0.75; p<0.001), professing the Catholic religion (PRa=0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76; p<0.001), knowing a homosexual (PRa=0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.90; p=0.003) and having treated a homosexual patient (PRa=0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98; p=0.036). In contrast, the frequency of homophobia increased in male chauvinists (PRa=1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.72; p=0.007), adjusted by four variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Homophobia was less common in women, in those who study in the capital, those who profess Catholicism and those who know/have treated a homosexual. In contrast, male chauvinists were more homophobic.

Reliability and validity of the Malay version of Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men (MVATL/MVATG): a study on a group of medical students in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of the Malay version of Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men (MVATL/MVATG) among a group of medical students in Malaysia.

METHODS

It is a cross-sectional study of 173 medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The participants were given the MVATL/MVATG, Index of Attitudes toward Homosexuals (IATH), Homosexuality Attitude Scale (HAS) and the English version of Attitude toward Lesbians and Gay Men. Two weeks later, these students were given the MVATLG again.

RESULTS

Significant correlation was found between the individual scores of MVATL and MVATG with IATH and HAS in the results. The scale was able to differentiate Muslim and Non-Muslim subjects. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of both the MVATL and MVATG were good, at 0.76 and 0.82, respectively. The parallel form reliability (Pearson's correlation) of MVATL was 0.0.73 and 0.74 for MVATG. The test-retest reliability of MVATL/MVATG was good (Intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.67 for MVATL and 0.60 for MVATG).

DISCUSSION

The MVATLG demonstrated good psychometric properties in measuring attitudes toward homosexuality among a group of medical students in Malaysia and it could be used as a simple instrument on young educated Malaysian adults.

Correlates of Attitudes Toward Homosexuality and Intention to Care for Homosexual People Among Psychiatric Nurses in Southern Taiwan

This study examined the association between attitudes toward homosexual individuals and intention to provide care and demographic and occupational factors, sexual orientation, knowledge about homosexuality, and experiences of contact with homosexual people among psychiatric nurses in southern Taiwan. In total, 133 psychiatric nurses from a medical center, three regional teaching hospitals, and one psychiatric hospital in southern Taiwan were recruited into this study. Their attitudes toward homosexual people as recorded on the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Questionnaire, intention to provide care to homosexual individuals, and related factors were examined. The results revealed that psychiatric nurses who had a bachelor's or master's degree, higher level of knowledge about homosexuality, and friends or relatives with a homosexual orientation had a more positive attitude toward homosexuality. These psychiatric nurses, with more positive attitudes, and who worked in the medical center or regional teaching hospitals had a higher intention to care for homosexual people. The factors related to attitudes toward homosexuality and intention to care for homosexual people identified in this study should be taken into consideration when intervening in psychiatric nurses' attitudes toward homosexuality and intention to care for homosexual people.

A survey of attitudes toward homosexuality in Hong Kong chinese medical students

BACKGROUND

Homosexuality is now considered an alternative lifestyle occurring with some regularity as a variant of human sexuality, rather than a pathological disorder. It is important to understand the attitudes of medical professionals toward homosexuality, as their attitudes may influence their approach to gay men and lesbians as patients. It is also important to understand the current attitudes of medical students who will be the future generation of health care providers.

PURPOSE

To study Chinese medical students' attitudes toward and personal experiences with homosexuality.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a university medical school. Medical students were asked 16 questions according to an anonymous survey questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 780 medical students (42% male, 49% female, 10% sex anonymous) who received the questionnaire, 627 (80%) returned it. Of these students, 72% were age 18 to 22 years; 38% reported that they had homosexual friends. Only 16 students described themselves as homosexuals and 20 as bisexuals. A total of 249 students (40%) reported that they had a religion; 542 (86%) reported that they would accept their friends to be homosexuals. Two thirds thought that homosexual and heterosexual partners should have equal legal rights in terms of marriage, whereas slightly less than half (46%) thought they should have equal legal rights in adopting children. With regard to learning or working abilities, 93% thought homosexuals are not any different from heterosexuals. Two thirds thought homosexuals are not different from heterosexuals in terms of sexual behaviour such as promiscuity or loyalty. One fourth thought homosexuality is a psychological disorder that requires therapy. These findings did not differ significantly with seniority, but students with a religion held different attitudes than those without, and were more likely to believe that homosexuality is a psychological disorder, odds ratio (OR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.59 .43, p < .001. Female students were more likely to have homosexual friends, OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.20 .48, p = .003, and more accepting attitudes, OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.24 .57, p = .002.

CONCLUSIONS

The attitudes and experiences do not vary significantly between the 5 classes of medical students, but religious beliefs and gender might influence these attitudes. These findings can help medical teachers to be more sensitive in terms of educating their students.