Title

Student Degree Program and Attitudes Toward Gays and Lesbians in the Military: Is There a Connection?

Authors

Authors

J. Wallenberg; A. Anspach;A. M. Leon

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Homosex.

Keywords

gays; lesbians; and homosexuals in the U; S; military; anti-gay; attitudes; Attitudes Toward Homosexuals in the Military Scale; COLLEGE-STUDENTS; HETEROSEXUALS ATTITUDES; SEXUAL PREJUDICE; PUBLIC-OPINION; MEN; HOMOSEXUALS; HOMOPHOBIA; UNIVERSITY; DIFFERENCE; ETHNICITY; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

Abstract

Individuals routinely experience discrimination based on sexual orientation. Since the implementation of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 1994, over 13,000 military personnel have been discharged from the U.S. military on the basis of sexual orientation. As helping professionals, social workers will often provide services to returning gay and lesbian veterans. Therefore, social work programs must ensure that students develop positive attitudes toward and understanding of the needs presented by this population. Little is known about whether a specific degree program can be a predictor of student attitude toward gay and lesbian individuals in the military. Eighty-nine graduate students completed the Attitudes Toward Homosexuals in the Military (ATHM) scale, and scores were compared between two graduate degree programs: Social Work and Business Administration. A statistically significant relationship was found between degree program and ATHM scores. Implications for policy, practice and research related to gay and lesbian veterans are discussed.

Journal Title

Journal of Homosexuality

Volume

58

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

476

Last Page

496

WOS Identifier

WOS:000288957200003

ISSN

0091-8369

Share

COinS