An Internet-Delivered Intervention to Reduce LGBTQ+ Prejudice Among Romanian Teachers: Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Intergroup Relations

Background:

• Discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth negatively impacts mental and physical health.
• Romania has low LGBTQ+ inclusion rates, with high rates of school bullying.
• Teachers and counselors are key to fostering institutional change and reducing discrimination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an intervention on reducing prejudice towards the LGBTQ+ community in Romanian teachers and counselors.
• To address the gap in interventions tailored for non-Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) populations.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial with 175 Romanian teachers.
• An internet-based intervention including a video session with educational content, testimonials, perspective-taking, and self-efficacy exercises.
• Measurement of LGBTQ+ prejudice, behavioral intentions, self-efficacy, perspective taking, intergroup anxiety, empathy, and factual knowledge.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significant reductions in prejudice (Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale) compared to the control group.
• Participants in the experimental group reported warmer feelings, increased likelihood of supportive behaviors, higher self-efficacy, and more factual knowledge.
• No significant differences were found in intergroup disgust sensitivity, intergroup anxiety, or empathy.

Conclusions:

• The online intervention is a cost-effective and portable resource for educators and counselors in regions with high anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice.
• A blended approach combining cognitive, affective, and behavioral strategies shows promise for positive outcomes in LGBTQ+ education within schools.