Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Health Services
Advisor
Cheryl Cullen
Abstract
People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) often experience bullying and discrimination. Additionally, LGBTQ individuals feel invisible within the workforce due to inadequate legal protections. The stress of LGBTQ stigma compounded with the high stress levels experienced by healthcare workers has been linked to the effectiveness of health organizations, negatively influencing the quality of care provided to patients. The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers toward LGBTQ individuals. Guided by the systems theory framework, the attitudes of 227 healthcare workers toward homosexuality and healthcare delivery to LGBTQ individuals in New Jersey were explored using the Homosexuality Attitude Scale collection tool. The variables of gender, job role, religiosity, and healthcare setting were examined for correlation with attitude using inferential statistics analysis in SPSS. Results indicated religiosity had a significant influence on healthcare workers’ attitudes toward homosexuality. Findings from this study might be used to develop cultural competency programs to address negative attitudes toward homosexuality among healthcare workers with the intent of positively influencing the lives of both LGBTQ patients and employees. Through the commitment of healthcare administrative leadership to creating an organizational culture of inclusion, acceptance, and willingness to care for LGBTQ patients, positive social change can be achieved.
Recommended Citation
Egan, Mary A., "Attitudes Toward LGBTQ Individuals in the New Jersey Health Sector" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8280.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8280
