Discrimination and Violence Due to Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Explanatory Variables.

Fernández-Antelo Inmaculada,Cuadrado-Gordillo Isabel

doi:10.3390/ijerph18073638

Fernández-Antelo Inmaculada, Cuadrado-Gordillo Isabel

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073638

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Abstract

Knowledge of the processes of aggression and victimization in couple relationships cannot be approached through the treatment of single variables. It needs a multidimensional perspective that establishes a web of relationships between variables of different types. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to explore the interrelationships between and interdependence of empathy, moral disengagement, homophobic attitudes, and prejudice as explanatory variables of discrimination and violence towards couples due to gender issues; and (ii) to delimit predictive indicators of the manifestation of aggressive attitudes and prejudices towards homosexual couples. The sample comprised 778 young people of ages 18 to 24 years (M = 19.9; SD = 1.6). Through the use of four instruments, it was found that empathy is a strong protector against homophobic attitudes, while moral disengagement is a predictor of aggressive attitudes towards same-sex couples. The results make it possible to delimit homophobic profiles and obtain predictive indicators that will be key elements in the design of programs and measures to prevent violence towards couples for reasons of gender.

Highlights

The government report about the evolution of hate crimes in Spain [1] indicates that the three areas with the greatest numbers of recorded incidents are those of “ideology”
Homophobia, prejudice, and moral disengagement were positively correlated, and all of these variables were negatively correlated with empathy (Table 1)
The delimitation of homophobic profiles and the determination of predictive indicators will undoubtedly be key elements in the design of programs and measures for the prevention of violence against couples based on gender

Summary

Introduction

The government report about the evolution of hate crimes in Spain [1] indicates that the three areas with the greatest numbers of recorded incidents are those of “ideology”,. Empathy has been shown to be negatively related to aggression [4], to have a modulating function in both prosocial and aggressive behaviour [5], to be a strong predictor of openness to diversity [6], and to reduce prejudices and foster prosocial behaviour [7]. Other studies corroborate this negative relationship between prejudice and empathy [8], with homophobic attitudes registered in persons with low levels of empathy [9], both in the heterosexual adolescent population [10].

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Discussion

Conclusion