Relationship between religion and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence the attitudes of African American undergraduate students toward lesbians and gay men. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between faith maturity, religious fundamentalism, Christian orthodoxy, religious conservatism, social desirability, and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. It was considered that this sample would have overall negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and that males and the church population would have more overall negative attitudes. In addition, there would be significant relationships between faith maturity, religious fundamentalism, Christian orthodoxy, religious conservatism, social desirability, and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Also, faith maturity, religious fundamentalism, Christian orthodoxy, and religious conservatism would significantly predict attitudes. Statistical analysis included one-sample and independent t-tests for investigating groups differences, a Pearson correlation to assess relationships between independent and dependent variables, 2X2 analysis of variances (ANOVA) to investigate interactions, and a linear multiple regression to assess predictions. One hundred and seventy-four people, representing two populations (college and church) served as participants for this study. Specifically, the sample had negative attitudes overall and individually. Also, females had more negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and specifically toward gay men than males. However, males had more negative attitudes toward lesbians than females. Church participants had more negative attitudes, overall and individually, than college participants. Faith maturity was the only variable to have a significant relationship with all the other variables including social desirability. A significant interaction exists between gender and population with female church participants having more negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and specifically toward gay men than any other group. On the other hand, male church participants had more negative attitudes toward lesbians than any other group. Religious fundamentalism and faith maturity significantly predicted attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Based on these results, suggestions were made for further research.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy|Social psychology|Gender|Religion
Recommended Citation
Monica T Overton,
"Relationship between religion and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men"
(2006).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3234217.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3234217