Attitudes and Beliefs About the Acceptability and Justness of Peer Victimization of Lesbian and Gay University Students

We evaluated the acceptability and justness of anti-lesbian and gay victimization among 473 undergraduates. Participants were assigned to one of four vignette conditions that described an individual being verbally victimized in a typical college setting. Each vignette varied by victim gender (male;...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of homosexuality 2016-06, Vol.63 (6), p.808-820
Main Authors: Bradbury, Stacey L., Davis, Alan K., Leith, Jaclyn, Hinman, Nova, Ashrafioun, Lisham, Burmeister, Jacob M., Dworsky, Dryw
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceptability
Adolescent
Attitude
Attitudes
beliefs
Bullying
College students
Colleges & universities
Crime Victims
Female
Gays & lesbians
Gender
Gender Identity
Heterosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Female
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
justness
lesbian and gay students
Lesbianism
Male
Peer Group
Peer relationships
Sexes
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Sexual orientation
Social Justice
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Undergraduate students
Universities
university
University students
Victimization
Victims
Vignettes
Young Adult
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Summary:We evaluated the acceptability and justness of anti-lesbian and gay victimization among 473 undergraduates. Participants were assigned to one of four vignette conditions that described an individual being verbally victimized in a typical college setting. Each vignette varied by victim gender (male; female) and sexual orientation (lesbian/gay; heterosexual). Participants completed background questionnaires and a measure that assessed the acceptability of the actions described in the vignettes. Overall, victimization was rated as unacceptable regardless of the sexual orientation and gender of the victim. However, participants rated the victimization of lesbian and gay students as more harmful and unjust than victimization of heterosexual students. Although the acceptability of anti-lesbian and gay victimization was low, 3%-12% of participants rated anti-lesbian and gay victimization as slightly or completely acceptable and just. Given that victimization is associated with long-term negative outcomes, college administrators should consider interventions aimed at decreasing the acceptability of victimization among students.
ISSN:0091-8369
1540-3602
DOI:10.1080/00918369.2015.1112581