The influence of sociocultural factors on attitudes towards homosexuality: Comparative study

Abstract

The way society views homosexuality has changed over time. The purpose of this study is to understand how homosexuality is considered today, based on different variables gender, environment (rural/urban), age, religiosity, interpersonal contact with LGBT, academic qualifications, and the professional sector. The sample was 192 individuals, 97 women, and 95 men. A sociodemographic questionnaire and a Multidimensional Lesbian and Gay Attitudes Scale (EMAFLG) were applied. The statistical program used for data analysis was the statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results obtained presented statistically significant differences for all variables except for the variable sex. Comparisons by residential areas showed that individuals living in rural areas, older people, individuals who consider themselves religious, those who do not have contact with LGBT, those with lower academic qualifications, and, lastly, individuals working in a secondary sector are more homophobic. It was concluded that there are still prejudices regarding homosexuality.