ATTITUDES TOWARD HOMOSEXUALITY AMONG YOUNG ROMANIAN HETEROSEXUALS: THE ROLES OF SEXIM, RELIGIOSITY, AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS

Abstract

We examined the attitudes toward homosexuality in a sample of 531 young heterosexual Romanian adults aged 18 to 30 (M = 22.92, SD = 2.62). Participants were residents from urban (48.8%) and rural (51.6%) areas, most of them having a university degree (59.1%). Results suggested that age, sexism, and religiosity were positively related to more negative views toward homosexuality. While participants’ residential areas and education were not significantly related to their attitudes toward homosexuality, gender contributed to significant variability in this regard. We found that male participants had more negative views toward homosexuality compared to their female counterparts. Regression analyses suggested that, in the male sample, the only significant predictor of negative attitudes toward homosexuality was age. However, in the female sample, religiosity was the most important predictor of negative attitudes toward homosexuality. These findings emphasize the intricate nature of the elements that influence the attitudes of Romanian heterosexuals toward homosexuality. Our results may also help direct future therapies, educational programs, and therapeutic strategies intended to reduce these negative attitudes. Also, these findings can shape implications for policy development aimed at fostering inclusivity and acceptance of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, especially in highly religious countries such as Romania.

Keywords

• homosexuality
• attitudes
• gender
• sexism
• religiosity