IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i5p2618-d511359.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Perception of Attitudes of the General Population toward Homosexuality in Taiwan: Roles of Demographic Factors, Mental Health, and Social Debates on Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Author

Listed:
  • Huang-Chi Lin

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Huang-Chi Lin and Yi-Lung Chen contributed equally to this study.)

  • Yi-Lung Chen

    (Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
    Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
    Huang-Chi Lin and Yi-Lung Chen contributed equally to this study.)

  • Nai-Ying Ko

    (Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Ping Chang

    (School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA)

  • Wei-Hsin Lu

    (Department of Psychiatry, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi City 60002, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

Abstract

The aims of this online survey study were to examine the associations of demographic characteristics (gender, age, and sexual orientation), mental health status, and point in time of the survey (i.e., the beginning of the social debates on legalizing same-sex marriage vs. the end of the social debates) with people’s perception of the attitudes of the general population in Taiwan toward homosexuality. A two-wave internet survey was conducted using Facebook to gather information regarding people’s perception of the population’s attitudes toward homosexuality among 4562 participants. The five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale was used for assessing mental health status. The results indicated that participants perceived the population as having a lower acceptance at the end of the social debates on legalizing same-sex marriage than at the beginning of the social debates; gender moderated the decline in perceived acceptance. The results also indicated that poor mental health and heterosexual orientation were significantly associated with a lower perception of the population’s homosexuality acceptance in both waves of the survey. The factors related to perceived homosexuality acceptance need to be considered in developing programs to increase the population’s homosexuality acceptance.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang-Chi Lin & Yi-Lung Chen & Nai-Ying Ko & Yu-Ping Chang & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2021. "Perception of Attitudes of the General Population toward Homosexuality in Taiwan: Roles of Demographic Factors, Mental Health, and Social Debates on Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2618-:d:511359
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/5/2618/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/5/2618/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. McCabe, S.E. & Bostwick, W.B. & Hughes, T.L. & West, B.T. & Boyd, C.J., 2010. "The relationship between discrimination and substance use disorders among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1946-1952.
    2. Mays, V.M. & Cochran, S.D., 2001. "Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(11), pages 1869-1876.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chung-Ying Lin & Yu-Te Huang & Chiu-Hsiang Lee & Chia-Wei Fan & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Gay Community Stress Scale with Its Cultural Translation and Adaptions in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Huang-Chi Lin & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Relationships of Homophobic Bullying Victimization during Childhood with Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms in Early Adulthood among Gay and Bisexual Men: Mediating Effect of Depressive Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Huang-Chi Lin & Chih-Cheng Chang & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Associations among Perceived Sexual Stigma from Family and Peers, Internalized Homonegativity, Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Yu-Te Huang & Wen-Jiun Chou & Yi-Chen Hang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2023. "Sexual Orientation Microaggression Experiences and Coping Responses of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    5. Gsakani Olivia Sumbane & Nogwane Maureen Makua, 2023. "Exploring the Mental Health Challenges and Coping Behaviour of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students at an Institution of Higher Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, March.
    6. Chung-Ying Lin & Ching-Shu Tsai & Chia-Wei Fan & Mark D. Griffiths & Chih-Cheng Chang & Cheng-Fang Yen & Amir H. Pakpour, 2022. "Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Ting Kin Ng & Ting Hin Lee & Hazyle Yuen & Wai Chan, 2023. "Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage: The Roles of Parental Attitudes, Traditional Gender Role Values, and Filial Piety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. I-Hsuan Lin & Nai-Ying Ko & Yu-Te Huang & Mu-Hong Chen & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Effect of Same-Sex Marriage Referendums on the Suicidal Ideation Rate among Nonheterosexual People in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Shuai Chen & Jan C. Ours, 2018. "Subjective Well-being and Partnership Dynamics: Are Same-Sex Relationships Different?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(6), pages 2299-2320, December.
    3. Kendric Coleman, 2016. "The Difference Safe Spaces Make," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(2), pages 21582440166, May.
    4. Concetta P Pelullo & Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Italo F Angelillo, 2013. "Frequency of Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence in Lesbian, Gay Men, and Bisexual in Italy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-1, August.
    5. Nai-Ying Ko & I-Hsuan Lin & Yu-Te Huang & Mu-Hong Chen & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Associations of Perceived Socially Unfavorable Attitudes toward Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage with Suicidal Ideation in Taiwanese People before and after Same-Sex Marriage Referendums," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Everett, Bethany G. & Hatzenbuehler, Mark L. & Hughes, Tonda L., 2016. "The impact of civil union legislation on minority stress, depression, and hazardous drinking in a diverse sample of sexual-minority women: A quasi-natural experiment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 180-190.
    7. Chen, Shuai, 2019. "Marriage, minorities, and mass movements," Other publications TiSEM 9cb1b11d-12e6-46a8-adca-4, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    8. Sansone, Dario, 2019. "Pink work: Same-sex marriage, employment and discrimination," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    9. Michael A. Ash & M. V. Lee Badgett, 2006. "Separate And Unequal: The Effect Of Unequal Access To Employment‐Based Health Insurance On Same‐Sex And Unmarried Different‐Sex Couples," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 24(4), pages 582-599, October.
    10. Yoo Mi Jeong & Cindy B Veldhuis & Frances Aranda & Tonda L Hughes, 2016. "Racial/ethnic differences in unmet needs for mental health and substance use treatment in a community‐based sample of sexual minority women," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(23-24), pages 3557-3569, December.
    11. Daniel Íncera-Fernández & Manuel Gámez-Guadix & Santiago Moreno-Guillén, 2021. "Mental Health Symptoms Associated with Sexualized Drug Use (Chemsex) among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-20, December.
    12. Harvey, Tyler D. & Keene, Danya E. & Pachankis, John E., 2021. "Minority stress, psychosocial health, and survival among gay and bisexual men before, during, and after incarceration," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    13. Berg, Rigmor C. & Ross, Michael W. & Weatherburn, Peter & Schmidt, Axel J., 2013. "Structural and environmental factors are associated with internalised homonegativity in men who have sex with men: Findings from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) in 38 countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 61-69.
    14. Engstrom, Curtiss W. & West, Brady T. & Schepis, Ty S. & McCabe, Sean Esteban, 2024. "Does the approach used to measure sexual identity affect estimates of health disparities differently by race? A randomized experiment from the National Survey of Family Growth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    15. Yulya Milshteyn, 2022. "Implications of Covid-19 Pandemic on Drug Use and Substance Use Disorders in Sexual Minority Youth Worldwide: A Qualitative Review of the Literature and Future Research Agenda," Eximia Journal, Plus Communication Consulting SRL, vol. 5(1), pages 307-314, July.
    16. Peter Muennig & Meghan Kuebler & Jaeseung Kim & Dusan Todorovic & Zohn Rosen, 2013. "Gender Differences in Material, Psychological, and Social Domains of the Income Gradient in Mortality: Implications for Policy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-8, March.
    17. Billy A Caceres & Abraham Brody & Deborah Chyun, 2016. "Recommendations for cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(23-24), pages 3728-3742, December.
    18. Xiaojun Liu & Dongdong Jiang & Xiangfan Chen & Anran Tan & Yitan Hou & Meikun He & Yuanan Lu & Zongfu Mao, 2018. "Mental Health Status and Associated Contributing Factors among Gay Men in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, May.
    19. Meyer, Ilan H. & Schwartz, Sharon & Frost, David M., 2008. "Social patterning of stress and coping: Does disadvantaged social statuses confer more stress and fewer coping resources?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 368-379, August.
    20. Alex J. Bates & Claire M. Kamp Dush & Wendy D. Manning, 2024. "State-Level LGBTQ + Policies and Experiences of Interpersonal Discrimination among Sexual and Gender Minority People," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(5), pages 1-13, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2618-:d:511359. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.