Demographic influences on students’ self-efficacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion: a quantitative study in higher education in Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for LGBTQ+ inclusive education has made it a significant area of contemporary higher education research. Understanding self-efficacy and its complexities is pivotal for effectively planning and executing LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives in higher education settings. This study aims to assess the level of self-efficacy among students within a selected faculty of a state university in Sri Lanka regarding fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion. Additionally, this research explores whether demographic factors significantly influence undergraduates’ self-efficacy in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion. Inspired by the positivist paradigm, the study employed a survey strategy to gather quantitative data on students’ self-efficacy to foster LGBTQ+ inclusion across various demographic factors. Conducted at the faculty level, researchers administered a structured questionnaire to collect responses from 324 participants. The findings revealed a moderate level of self-efficacy among undergraduates in interacting with LGBTQ+ peers. Moreover, students’ gender, sexual orientation, English language proficiency, and educational upbringing significantly impacted students’ self-efficacy in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion. Conversely, ethnicity and religion showed no significant influence on self-efficacy in this context. These results underscore the critical role that universities can play in fostering inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ individuals in Sri Lanka. The results suggest that universities can enhance the self-efficacy of undergraduates through the implementation of targeted interventions, supportive policies, and comprehensive training programs. Accordingly, this research promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion and contributes to the development of a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for everyone.