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

    Authors

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

    Comments

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    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

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