The Predictors of Negative Attitudes Toward Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals in Heterosexual Youth in Chongqing, Southwest China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) are a socially and economically disadvantaged population who often suffer from both physical and psychological health disparities worldwide. This is especially true in China that has been dominated by Confucian value for centuries. To alleviate health disparities, the most fundamental and important thing is to improve social acceptance of LGB groups. This study aimed to assess heterosexual youth’s attitudes and the predictors of negative attitudes toward LGB groups in order to help the Chinese government as well as public health policymakers to identify strategies for improving social acceptance of LGB individuals. If implemented, these efforts could ultimately help address inequalities in health among LGB individuals in China. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an internet-based survey. The 109 heterosexual youth aged between 18 and 34 years old were recruited by snowball sampling strategy. Their attitudes toward lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals, their view of gender roles and family values, their knowledge about homosexuality and reproduction, and their contact experience with LGB groups were assessed in the 97-item survey. Independent sample t tests, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression were utilized to analyze the associations of sex, select factors, and attitudes toward LGB groups. Results: Heterosexual males were likely to hold more negative attitudes toward gay men as well as bisexuals than heterosexual females were, while no sex difference in attitudes toward lesbians was found. In addition, traditional view of gender roles, traditional view of family values, less knowledge about homosexuality, and no contact experience were the predictors of negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Traditional view of gender roles and less knowledge about homosexuality were the predictors of negative attitudes toward bisexuals. Lastly, no significant interaction effect by sex was found, however it was observed that predictors of negative attitudes toward LGB groups were different in male and female group. Conclusions: Sex differences were present in attitudes toward gay men and bisexuals. Contact experience was the most powerful predictor of negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Knowledge about homosexuality was the consistent predictor of negative attitudes toward lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Interventions that can increase both contact with homosexuals and education including knowledge about homosexuality and equality of genders may be particularly valuable in developing friendlier attitudes toward LGB groups. Additionally, interventions that target medical professionals and are conducted at facility or community level are thought to be effective in improving social acceptance and alleviate health disparities among LGB individuals. To date, this study is the first one in China to assess the predictors of heterosexual youth’s attitudes toward LGB individuals. Chinese government should encourage researchers to explore the issue of LGB individuals in academic field since LGB individuals and the term “homosexuality” has started appearing more often on mass media in China.