Service Providers' Attitudes Toward LGBTQ Youth

Abstract

This study examined mental health service providers' attitudes toward LGBTQ youth in an agency setting (n = 100) using the Homonegativity Scale, the Personal Comfort Assessment Tool, and the Gay Affirmative Practice Scale. The results of this study indicate that job category is associated with mental health agency employees' attitudes toward LGBTQ youth. Most notably, respondents from the Management/Supervisory category reported less homonegative attitudes toward LGBTQ youth than respondents from the Administrative/Clerical/Support job category. A post hoc regression analysis revealed that homonegative attitudes predict gay affirmative practice for this sample. Implications for policy and practice are explored.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ
• youth
• sexual minority
• gay affirmative practice
• attitudes
• mental health
• organizational climate

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Kelly Scherer in his assistance with coordinating this study.