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The nature of incoming graduate social work students' attitudes toward sexual minorities
- Authors:
- JAFFEE Kim D., DESSE Adrienne B., WOODFORD Michael R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 28(4), 2016, pp.255-276.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Competent social work practice with sexual minorities requires educators to identify factors that can be addressed in the graduate social work curriculum to foster affirming attitudes among students. This study explored the attitudes incoming master of social work (MSW) students hold toward sexual minorities, utilising a scale that addresses contemporary subtle biases toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, rather than overt, fear- and morality-based objections measured in previous studies. The authors explored the role of race/ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, religiosity, political ideology, perceived biological causation of sexual orientation, and LGB social contacts on students' attitudes toward sexual minorities. Multivariable linear regression results suggest that being African American/Black (versus White), older, and heterosexual (versus sexual minority), and greater religiosity (importance of religion and frequency of service attendance) and conservative political ideology, predicted less affirming attitudes, while greater endorsement for genetic causation of sexual orientation and exposure to LGB friends and immediate family members each predicted more affirming attitudes among our sample. (Edited publisher abstract)
“My church teaches homosexuality is a sin” religious teachings, personal religious beliefs, and MSW Students’ attitudes toward sexual minorities
- Authors:
- WOODFORD Michael R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 40(2), 2021, pp.216-235.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Religious social work students often report less-affirming LGB attitudes, which is often attributed to anti-LGB religious teachings. Yet research often overlooks one’s beliefs about their denomination’s LGB teachings. We examine the association between MSW students’ LGB attitudes, syncretism between religious teachings that “homosexuality is a sin” and students’ beliefs about these teachings, and the influence of religiosity on syncretism. Results suggest that personal views about one’s denomination’s teachings matter, representing a point for educational intervention. Findings highlight the importance of creating opportunities for students belonging to anti-LGB denominations to reflect critically on religious teachings as part of their education. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social work students’ experiences in a Christianity and sexual minority intergroup dialogue
- Authors:
- JOSLIN Jessica Y., DESSEL Adrienne B., WOODFORD Michael R.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Education (The International Journal), 35(5), 2016, pp.547-559.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A tension between the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and (heterosexual) conservative Christian communities has been documented within social work. This qualitative study explores students’ experiences in a Christianity and LGB sexuality intergroup dialogue at an American graduate social work programme. This dialogue was the first known case of intergroup dialogue being used to address these topics in a social work programme. Students’ motivations for participating in the dialogue, challenges faced throughout the dialogue, and what they learned are discussed. Pedagogical implications for schools of social work and intergroup dialogue are outlined. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social work faculty's attitudes toward marginalized groups: exploring the role of religion
- Authors:
- DESSEL Adrienne B., WOODFORD Michael R., GUTIÉRREZ Lorraine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 31(3), July 2012, pp.244-262.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The social work profession aims to be inclusive of all groups within society, and foster social justice for marginalised groups. In this respect, social work faculty's attitudes contribute to creating inclusive and productive classroom climates when discussing racism, sexism, and heterosexism. However, little is known about faculty's attitudes toward marginalised groups and the intersection of these attitudes with religion. This study describes social work faculty's attitudes about people of colour, women, and lesbian and gay people, and the relationship among these attitudes, religious affiliation, and religiosity. Participants included 327 US and Canadian social work teachers who responded to an online survey in 2006. Findings indicate religiosity predicts less accepting attitudes towards lesbian and gay people for Christian faculty; religious affiliation and religiosity did not predict attitudes towards women or people of colour. Intergroup dialogue is recommended for social work faculty learning. Implications for social education are discussed.
LGBTQQ youth using participatory action research and theater to effect change: moving adult decision-makers to create youth-centered change
- Authors:
- WERNICK Laura J., WOODFORD Michael R., KULICK Alex
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Community Practice, 22(1-2), 2014, pp.47-66.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philapelphia, USA
Research has documented the importance of empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and creating LGBTQQ-focused institutional changes in schools. However, little is known about youth-centred strategies in creating such institutional changes. This study examines how participatory action research (PAR) and theatre can effect change among adult powerholders in schools and contribute to LGBTQQ-youth-centred changes in schools. Findings suggest a mutually reinforcing relationship between PAR and theatre in elevating youth voices and motivating adults to work toward individual and institutional change that is responsive to LGBTQQ students’ needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
U.S. graduate social work faculty's attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
- Authors:
- WOODFORD Michael R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 39(1), 2013, pp.50-62.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Social workers are expected to promote social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and social work programmes and their faculty are expected to prepare students for competent and ethical practice with LGBT people and communities. Faculty's LGBT social attitudes can play a central role in developing students’ competencies. Minimal attention has been given to the nature of faculty's LGBT social attitudes. This article presents the results of a national survey conducted in the United States with a random sample of graduate teaching faculty concerning their LGBT social attitudes (n = 161). Bivariate and multivariate predictors of LGBT social attitudes were identified. Although a number of factors were significant in bivariate analyses and initial multivariate analysis (controlling only for sociodemographics), the final estimated model suggests race and social attitudes about women and critical consciousness are significant. The authors outline recommendations to enhance faculty's attitudes to strengthen efforts to realise accreditation standards and better prepare students for culturally competent and ethical practice. In addition to examining other predictors of faculty's attitudes, future studies should investigate perceptions of each separate population comprising the LGBT community. (Publisher abstract)