Religious‐based negative attitudes towards LGBTQ people among healthcare, social care and social work students and professionals: A review of the international literature

Abstract

There is a dearth of research on how negative religious attitudes towards LGBTQ people inform professional practice. This paper reports on a scoping review of 70 selected studies from 25 different countries. It explores key issues and knowledge gaps regarding the delivery of services to LGBTQ adults by religious healthcare, social care and social work organisations and/or practitioners with faith-based objections toLGBTQ people and their lives. The review identified four main themes: (1) a close connection between religious affiliation and negative attitudes towards LGBTQ people, among both students and professionals; (2) a heightening effect of religiosity, particularly among Christian and Muslim practitioners/students; (3) educators' religious attitudes informing curriculum design and delivery, and some highly religious students resisting and/or feeling oppressed by LGBTQ-inclusivity, if present; (4) examples of practice concerns raised by professionals and lay LGBTQ people. The article considers the ethical, practical, educational and professional standards implications, highlighting the need for further research in this area.

Can religious social workers practice affirmatively with LGBTQ service recipients? An exploration within the regulatory context

“…As this analysis has shown, these issues are highly significant to UK social work, and, by implication, other relational services (Westwood 2022). There is an urgent need for dialogue, and for empirical research which examines both religious social workers' attitudes towards LGBTQ people and whether/how they inform practice.…”

“…This is compounded by religiosity, namely the frequency and depth of religious participation. However, there is virtually no research on whether and/or how these negative attitudes inform practice (Westwood, 2022).…”

Sexual Risk Behavior, Sexism, and Prejudices Towards Sexual Openness, Homosexuality, and Trans Individuals Among Young People in Spain and the UK

“…When considering both religiosity and the subjects studied by respondents, greater adherence to gender roles was found among those who described themselves as religious and among business university students than those who were not. Religiosity is linked with sexual guilt and the anxiety generated by concern about breaking culturally established gender norms (Westwood, 2022).…”

“…The manifest is characterized by overt hostility towards LGBTQIA + individuals; the subtle seeks to indirectly undermine these identities and sexual orientations, including feigning positive attitudes towards them (Timmins et al, 2020). These dominant cultures repress and deny sexual health to people in sexual minorities, typically by negatively stereotyping, excluding, and making them invisible (Westwood, 2022). The internalization of cisgenderist and heterosexist prejudices can have serious consequences for members of sexual minorities and may lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and suicide (Grozelle, 2017).…”

Perceptions of Sexual Identity Stereotyping among Physical Education Undergraduate Students

“…This stereotypical assumption is unnecessary and has misrepresented many men's and women's athletic performance and achievement in cross-gender sports. Although genetic professionals as well as behavioral and social scientists have claimed that homosexuality is a normal variant of sexual identity [25][26][27][28][29], many people and social, political and religious groups still consider it a sexual aberration, a mental disorder, or a sinful disposition [30][31][32]. These individuals may uphold or practice "prejudice, discrimination, harassment or acts of violence that are based on fear, distrust, dislike, or hatred of sexual minorities" (p. 398) [33].…”