Examining the Impact of Training on the Homosexual Conduct Policy for Military Personnel

Abstract

The impact of training related to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue policy on training outcomes of military personnel was examined with data from the Department of Defense Inspector General's Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue Policy Survey of military personnel (N = 71,570). We hypothesized that training related to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue policy would impact participant's reactions, learning and cognitive outcomes, and behavioral and organizational outcomes. Results indicate that individuals who reported having received training on the homosexual conduct policy perceived the policy to be more effective at preventing/reducing harassment; were more likely to feel free to report harassment complaints; reported greater levels of understating and were more knowledgeable of the policy; reported higher levels of intolerance of harassment; and reported that more actions had been take at their installation/ship to reduce and prevent harassment than individuals who had not received any training. Although the pattern of results was statistically significant, the magnitude of these effects were small (η 2 = .001-.109). These findings highlight the continuing need to expand current efforts to reduce and curtail harassment based on perceived sexual orientation.

Sexual harassment training effectiveness: An interdisciplinary review and call for research

“…The trainee knowledge measures employ a variety of response formats (true/false, multiple choice, Likert scale), from five to 40 items, and all address one or more of the following topics: SH definitions, law, the organization's policies and practices, and the causes and consequences of SH. Across studies employing a variety of measures, instructional methods (e.g., lecture, discussion, and case study), and instructional media (e.g., online, video, and “live”), SH training has consistently shown to have a significant positive impact on trainees' acquisition of knowledge related to SH (e.g., Bingham & Scherer, ; Campbell et al, ; Estrada & Laurence, ). There are some exceptions to this clear pattern (Magley et al, , Study 1; Pilgram & Keyton, ), and, as our discussion of trainee characteristics indicates, there are some moderators of the impact of training on knowledge (e.g., Magley et al, , Study 2, only knowledge of non‐Hispanics increased; Perry et al, , training increased the knowledge of high LSH but not low LSH individuals).…”

“…Of 14 identified studies investigating the relationship between SH training and perceived incidence of SH, eight report that at least some types of SH training are associated with lower levels of SH (Antecol & Cobb‐Clark, ; Barak, ; Coker et al, ; Gruber, ; Jacobs et al, ; Meloni & Austin, ; Reese & Lindenberg, ; Williams, Lam, & Shively, ), and six studies did not find a relationship between SH training and the incidence of SH (de Haas et al, ; Estrada & Laurence, ; Fried et al, ; Magley et al, , Studies 1 and 2; Williams et al, ). The following observations are based on a review and comparison of the studies in those two groups.…”

“…Given that research has shown POTSH to be a consistent driver of SH in organizations (Fitzgerald, Drasgow, et al, 1997;Willness, Steel, & Lee, 2007), the lack of research investigating how SH training might significantly impact POTSH represents a surprising and important gap in the literature. Of 14 identified studies investigating the relationship between SH training and perceived incidence of SH, eight report that at least some types of SH training are associated with lower levels of SH (Antecol & Cobb-Clark, 2003;Barak, 1994;Coker et al, 2016;Gruber, 1998;Jacobs et al, 2000;Meloni & Austin, 2011;Reese & Lindenberg, 2003;Williams, Lam, & Shively, 1992), and six studies did not find a relationship between SH training and the incidence of SH (de Haas et al, 2010;Estrada & Laurence, 2009;Fried et al, 2012;Magley et al, 2013, Studies 1 and 2; Williams et al, 1999). The following observations are based on a review and comparison of the studies in those two groups.…”

“…Only two studies assess the effect of training on individual‐level POTSH. Using cross‐sectional survey data from members of all branches of the U.S. military, Estrada and Laurence () found that men and women who received training on the military's “don't ask, don't tell” policy reported lower levels of POTSH in their units. Magley et al (), Study 2, employed a quasi‐experimental design that measured POTSH prior to training and 6 months after training in a private sector organization and found that SH training did not impact POTSH.…”

How Sexuality Information Impacts Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Gay Service Members

“…This repeal and the lifting of the previous ban on openly gay or lesbian military service presents new concerns for the U.S. military and its service members. While much previous research has focused on the effects that repealing DADT and lifting the ban on open service would have on the military as a whole (Burrelli & Feder, 2009;National Defense Research Institute [NDRI], 2010) or on heterosexual service members (e.g., Estrada & Laurence, 2009;Estrada & Weiss, 1999;Moradi & Miller, 2010), we focus instead on concerns that individual gay or lesbian service members now face. The repeal of DADT marks new, unfamiliar ground for these individuals.…”