Attitudes of Upper-Level Undergraduate Students Concerning Refusal of Care to Sexual Minorities Seeking Psychological Treatment

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to examine religious beliefs that contradict professional ethics involving sexual minorities. A survey was created, including three scenarios where care is denied due to sexual orientation or lack of religion. Respondents evaluated their tolerance of refusal, and reality occurrences. Non-binary responses and demographics, including sexual orientation, were obtained. Three hypotheses were tested: There would be a positive correlation between agreement to refusal in treating LGBT * individuals and Christian ideas; Christian respondents having limited knowledge of sexual minority stress occurrences; and utilization of Christianity as justification for discrimination. Results found some significance of religiosity impacting pre-professionals tolerating discrimination, especially with transgenderism. Also, there was prevalence of ethically constructive abilities to separate religion from profession. The most significant religious implications found involved transgender people, and hopefully a development for future research.