Higher Levels Of Negative Attitudes Research Articles

Navigating organizational diversity: addressing transphobia among human resources professionals

PropósitoEste estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre las actitudes hacia la diversidad organizacional y hacia las personas trans, correlacionándolas con los niveles de transfobia entre los profesionales de recursos humanos. Basándonos en la Teoría del Contacto Intergrupal, también buscamos comprender si los resultados pueden estar influenciados por la variable de contacto.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueSe recopilaron datos a través de la administración de un cuestionario a una muestra de 184 profesionales de recursos humanos. El cuestionario estaba compuesto por preguntas autoconstruidas y escalas previamente validadas, que incluían: Attitudes Toward Diversity Scale - ATDS (Montei et al., 1996), Attitudes Toward Transgendered Individuals (ATTI) Scale (Walch et al., 2012) y Genderism and Transphobia Scale - GTS (Hill and Willoughby, 2005).HallazgosLos resultados no muestran altos niveles de actitudes negativas hacia la diversidad organizacional o intolerancia hacia las personas trans, siendo estas variables correlacionadas, con niveles más altos de intolerancia en la porción de la muestra sin contacto con personas transgénero.Originalidad/valorEste artículo contribuye al aumento del conocimiento en el campo de las políticas de desarrollo de recursos humanos, centrándose en la temática de Diversidad e Inclusión, la cual es un tema muy actual e importante en las organizaciones hoy en día. Además, la relevancia y contribución del estudio señalan la necesidad de prácticas de gestión de recursos humanos que asuman la discriminación positiva y/o fomenten la adopción de acciones afirmativas por parte de las organizaciones.

Perceptions from the public on farmworker contributions to the U.S. economy and attitudes toward farmworkers.

Farmworkers in the United States contribute to the trillion-dollar agriculture industry through their work in agricultural fields, orchards, ranches, dairies, processing, and packing houses. Seventy-three percent of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States are immigrants and face negative attitudes and prejudices. The present study was designed to better understand how farmworkers in the United States are perceived by nonworkers. Using a sample of 242 adult participants (Mage = 26.85, SD = 9.78; 53.7% non-Hispanic White) from the United States collected online, data were collected on negative attitudes toward immigrants, perceptions of farmworkers' contribution to the economy, and voting on hypothetical bills related to immigration. Negative attitudes toward immigrants and perception of economic contribution were both significant in estimating voting, as was their interaction. At high levels of negative attitudes toward immigrants, knowledge of the economic contribution of farmworkers buffered the relationship between negative attitudes and support for pro-immigrant voting. Specifically, those who perceived farmworkers to contribute to the economy were more likely to indicate hypothetical pro-immigrant voting. The present study highlights awareness of the importance of farmworkers to our economy in relation to attitudes toward farmworkers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exposure to Misinformation, Risk Perception, and Confidence towards the Government as Factors Influencing Negative Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Malaysia.

This study explored exposure to misinformation, COVID-19 risk perception, and confidence towards the government as predictors of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from 30 June to 30 August 2021 involving 775 respondents. The survey instrument for the questionnaire was an adaptation from various different studies consisting of five main variables: (1) misinformation about vaccination; (2) risk perception toward COVID-19; (3) attitudes toward the vaccination programme; (4) intention to get vaccinated; and (5) public confidence in the government in executing the vaccination programme. The results of this study indicate that higher exposure to misinformation led to higher levels of negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. When the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection was high, mistrust of vaccine benefits was low but there were also higher worries about the future effects of the vaccine. Confidence in the government was associated with lower negative attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. The results of this study may help develop an understanding of negative attitudes toward vaccinations in Malaysia and its contributing factors.

Attitudes toward Immigrants Intertwined with Religion: Comparison of Croatia and Italy

This article seeks to contribute to the study of migration and religion in two EU countries, Croatia and Italy, by examining the impact of religiosity and cultural identification on negative attitudes toward immigrants. In many European societies, the increasing diversification within different levels of society stemming from recent migrations has turned immigrants’ reception and integration into a key issue, whereby migrants are often perceived as a threat to the dominant religion and culture, thus aggravating the process of migrant integration within society. Our article follows recent empirical research on migration and religion, which determined that higher levels of religiosity are positively correlated with negative out-group attitudes. Conducting quantitative research in Croatia (N = 603) and Italy (N = 714) and based on the analysis of primary data, firstly, we assess whether there is an association between negative attitudes towards immigrants depending on different degrees of religiosity and levels of cultural identification. Secondly, we examine the differences of the socio-religious contexts of Croatia and Italy, with a focus on the interplay between religion, national identity, and migration patterns. In line with this, our research shows that religiosity has the largest influence on negative attitudes toward immigrants, implying that higher levels of religiosity result in higher levels of negative attitudes toward immigrants. Furthermore, the results of our research show that Croatian participants have more negative attitudes toward immigrants than Italian participants, whereby Roman Catholic participants in both countries are more negative than non-religiously declared participants.

Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals and General Population Toward Vaccines and the Intention to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in Spain.

Background: To achieve herd immunity, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine by the population, especially healthcare professionals, plays a key role. The objective of the present paper is to address the differences in attitudes among Spanish healthcare professionals compared with the general population regarding COVID-19 vaccination.Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from 2,136 adults (n = 664 healthcare professionals) from an online survey conducted from May 6 to June 9, 2021. The Vaccination attitudes examination scale was used to measure the negative attitudes toward vaccines. Four subscales: mistrust of vaccine benefit, worries about the unforeseen future effect, concerns about commercial profiteering, and preference for natural immunity were calculated. Generalized linear mixed models were conducted to study these associations.Results: Between 10.2 and 22.6% of the subjects showed high levels of negative attitudes toward vaccines. However, only 1.5% of our sample (2.1% among healthcare professionals) refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it was offered because they chose otherwise. Retired people showed the lowest concerns and the highest trust in vaccines. No statistically significant effects were found between working in a healthcare field and having higher positive attitudes toward vaccines.Conclusion: Low levels of rejection against the COVID-19 vaccine were identified in the present sample. However, despite being at a higher risk, health care professionals did not show higher positive attitudes toward vaccines. Furthermore, refusal percentage to vaccination was higher among healthcare professionals compared with non-healthcare professionals. Developing a strategy to increase positive attitudes against the COVID-19 vaccine should be an objective for public health policy.

Attachment Style and Jealousy in the Digital Age: Do Attitudes About Online Communication Matter?

Romantic jealousy, a complex response to a real or perceived threat to a romantic relationship, can have serious negative consequences for individuals, partners and perceived rivals. The likelihood of a jealous response is heightened among individuals who experience attachment anxiety, and online communication and social media provide unique fodder for romantic jealousy. The purpose of the current study is to test whether the association between attachment anxiety and online jealousy (jealous response to ambiguous hypothetical online scenarios) is moderated by negative attitudes about online communication. Individuals in dating relationships were asked about attachment anxiety and attitudes about online communication (i.e., apprehension and concern about misunderstandings) as well as emotional, cognitive, and behavioral online jealousy. Hierarchical linear regression revealed an attachment anxiety-attitude interaction, such that the link between attachment anxiety and jealousy was stronger for participants with relatively low levels of negative attitudes about online communication compared to participants with relatively high levels of negative attitudes. The current study expands knowledge about attachment anxiety and jealousy in the context of online communication and social media, and highlights the importance of considering attitudes about online communication when studying relationship processes in the digital arena.

Bifactor and Item Response Theory Analyses of Health Care Workers’ Attitudes Toward HIV-Infected People

Abstract. Health care workers’ attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) can play an important role in the quality of life of PLWHA as well as in public health efforts in HIV prevention and treatment. The main aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure health care workers’ attitudes toward PLWHA using bifactor and IRT analyses. We applied bifactor and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses to questionnaire development, evaluation, and refinement. A sample of 836 Italian health care workers was recruited in 2013, including medical practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, social workers, and psychologists. We tested a hierarchical item response model (bifactor model) with model fit comparisons with one-dimensional and five-dimensional models. The bifactor model was found to provide the best fit to the observed data. The results were used to construct a 15-item short form. The test information function showed that the scale was slightly more precise at higher levels of negative attitudes. Finally, the differential item functioning (DIF) analysis revealed that the items did not function differently across gender or professional groups. The instrument was found to have good criterion validity with regard to discriminatory practices toward HIV-infected patients.

Motivation with misinformation: Conceptualizing lacuna individuals and publics as knowledge-deficient, issue-negative activists

ABSTRACTAs fake news continues to abound on the Internet, the need for theorizing on the impact of misinformation on individuals’ perceptions of various social issues is dire. Using the issue of vaccine negativity in the United States, this study proposes the idea of lacuna individuals as issue-specific active publics holding negative attitudes and having deficient issue-specific knowledge. Results reveal that knowledge-deficient, vaccine-negative individuals display higher levels of perceptions, motivations, and active communication behaviors about vaccines. Results, therefore, support the conceptualization of lacuna individuals, and publics, as knowledge-deficient activists holding high levels of negative attitudes.

Emotional Reaction to Menarche and Menstrual Attitudes

The goal of this study was to examine current attitudes toward menstruation in adolescent postmenarcheal girls in relation to age at menarche, time since menarche had occurred, preparedness, and emotional reaction to menarche. Postmenarcheal adolescent girls from primary and secondary schools (N = 246) participated in the study, with an average age of 15.1 years and average age at menarche 12.4 years. Participants filled out the adapted version of Adolescent Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (AMAQ; Marvan & Molina, 2002), Expected/Experienced Emotions related to Menarche Scale (Emo-M; Nakić Radoš, Mužinić Bikić, & Roso Perić, in press), Preparedness for the Menarche (PM; Rodriguez White, 2013), and Pubertal Development Scale (PDS; Petersen, Crockett, Richards, & Boxer, 1988). The two-way ANOVA showed that early maturers (≤11 years at menarche) had significantly higher level of negative attitudes than average maturers (12 years) and late maturers (≥13 years). Both early and average maturers had a higher level of secretive attitudes than late maturers. However, this effect was present only if menarche occurred in less than two years. Regression analyses showed that higher level of pleasant emotions at menarche predicted higher level of positive attitudes toward menstruation (45.2% variance explained). Lower age at menarche, less time from the menarche, and a higher level of unpleasant emotions at menarche predicted higher levels of secretive attitudes (35.1% variance explained) and negative attitudes (22.7% variance explained). In conclusion, age at menarche, time for adaptation to menstruation, and initial emotional reaction to menarche are significant determinants of menstrual attitudes in adolescent girls. Education and preparing girls for menstruation at early stages of puberty is necessary. Keywords: menarche, menstruation, attitudes, emotions, puberty

Knowledge and Perceptions of Influenza Vaccinations Among College Students in Vietnam and the United States.

ObjectivesInfluenza is a significant worldwide public health issue. Knowledge and perceptions regarding the flu vaccination are associated with whether individuals obtain the vaccination. The purpose of this study was to examine how such perceptions were related to knowledge and self-efficacy regarding influenza and the flu vaccination in Vietnam and the US.MethodsCollege students (n=932) in Vietnam (n=495) and the US (n=437) completed a self-administered survey regarding knowledge and perceptions of influenza vaccinations in September and October 2016.ResultsVietnamese participants reported significantly lower levels of awareness about flu risk, higher levels of negative attitudes toward flu vaccination, lower levels of knowledge about the flu and vaccination, and lower levels of self-efficacy than US participants. Higher levels of flu and flu vaccination knowledge and self-efficacy regarding general responsible health practices were associated with lower levels of negative perceptions of flu risk and attitudes toward vaccination. At the same time, self-efficacy regarding responsible health practices was associated with higher levels of awareness of flu risk and lower levels of negative attitudes toward vaccination. Self-efficacy regarding exercise was associated with lower levels of perceptions of flu risk and higher levels of negative attitudes toward vaccination.ConclusionsVietnam could benefit from influenza education based on this comparison with the US. In both countries, knowledge and self-efficacy were found to be important factors influencing perceptions of influenza risk and vaccination.

The effect of organizational member's allocentrism-idiocentrism on the emotion expression and favoritism

In this article, three studies were performed to investigate the differences of the tendency to regulate emotion expression in terms of the organizational member's cultural dispositions. Study 1 four hypothsises. First, allocentrics will have a higher level of emotion suppression than that of idiocentrics. Second, allocentrics will have a higher level of negative attitude towords emotion expressions than idiocentrices. third, the relation between allocentrics and emotion suppression will mediated by negative attitude to emotional expression. finally, allocentircs will be negatively evaluated than idiocentrics who shows emotional expression freely. For this study, data was collected from 196 employees by survey questionnaires. In study 1, it was found that allocentrics have a higher level of emotional suppression and negative attitude towards emotional expression than idiocentirics. The relation between allocentrics and emotional expression were mediated by negative attitude to emotional expression. But hypothesis 4 was not supported. In study 2, we experimented by including positive and negative conditions to examine the difference of emotional regulations between allocentrics and idiocentrics. The results show that allocentrics and idiocentrics do not differ in positive condition. However, in negative condition, allocentrics are more emotionally suppressed than that of idocentrics. Study 3 shows that by applying emotion type we were able to evaluate the fourth hypothesis of the first study. In socially engaged conditions, allocentrics were more favorable than idiocentrics. In socially disengaged conditions shows that allocentrics favored anger suppressing individuals over idiocentrics. Finally, implications and limitations of these results were discussed.

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Worksite Comparison

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have reported being stigmatized when they seek care for pain. Nurse attitudes contribute to stigmatization and may affect patients' response to sickle cell cues, care-seeking, and ultimately patient outcomes. The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive, comparative design study was to determine whether there are significant differences in nurse attitudes toward patients with SCD by worksite—medical-surgical units compared with emergency departments/intensive care units (ED/ICU). The sample consisted of 77 nurses (36 nurses from the ED/ICU and 41 from medical-surgical units) who completed an anonymous online survey. No significant differences were noted in attitudes by worksite, with nurses from both sites demonstrating high levels of negative attitudes toward patients with SCD. Findings suggest that nurses from both worksites need additional education about SCD and care of this vulnerable, patient population.

Relationships Between Religiosity Level and Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Among Turkish University Students

This study examined the relationships between religiosity levels and attitudes toward lesbians and gay men among freshmen university students in Turkey. The Attitudes Towards Lesbians and Gay Men Scale–Short Form and the Religiosity Scale were administered to 91 male (M = 19.95, SD = 1.48 years) and 171 female (M = 19.23, SD = 1.28 years) students. The findings showed that male freshmen (M = 19.32, SD = 4.97) had more negative attitudes toward gay men than toward lesbians (M = 17.84, SD = 5.25), p = .000. In addition, attitudes of male freshmen were significantly more negative toward gay men (M =19.32, SD = 4.97) than females (M = 17.51, SD = 5.73), p = .012. Both male and female freshmen students who had higher levels of religiosity were found to have higher levels of negative attitudes toward both lesbians and gay men.

An examination of weight bias among treatment-seeking obese patients with and without binge eating disorder

ObjectiveThe objective was to compare weight-bias attitudes among treatment-seeking obese patients with and without binge eating disorder (BED vs. NBO) and to explore racial and sex differences and correlates of weight-bias attitudes. MethodParticipants included 221 obese patients (169 female, 52 male) seeking treatment for weight and eating, recruited through primary care settings; of these, 168 patients met BED criteria. Patients completed semi-structured interviews and psychometrically established self-report measures of attitudes about obesity, eating pathology and depression. ResultsMain effects for group (BED vs. NBO) and race (White vs. African American) were significant. Patients with BED had significantly higher levels of negative attitudes towards obesity than NBO patients, while African American patients had significantly lower levels of weight bias than did White patients. Greater negative attitudes towards obesity were significantly correlated with higher levels of depression and eating pathology for all patients. ConclusionsEndorsement of negative weight bias was related to binge eating status, race, disordered eating, and depression. Primary care providers should be aware of weight biases among their patients.

Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in relation to knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and practices among university students in North-Eastern Nigeria

Background: The involvement of communities in control of cervical cancer cannot be overemphasized, but this must take cognizance of their current knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and practices (KABP) of the people if it will be sustainable. This study assessed the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among university students and their level of KABP concerning cervical screening in Maiduguri North-Eastern, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two subjects (age range: 18-69 years) were screened using pap smear screening method and acetowhite method. A structured questionnaire was administered on each subject to elicit information on KABP that could predispose them to the disease. Results: CIN was recorded in 12.8% of subjects with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in 10.8% and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion 2.0% of the women, respectively. The average general level of knowledge of various aspect of was 43.3% average positive attitudes/beliefs about the disease was recorded in 17.1% of subject, while positive practices that could lead to prevention of the disease was obtained in 30.0%. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of the disease and screening is very low and together with high levels of negative attitudes and practices, will adversely affect control measures and therefore have to be addressed.

Provider–Client Interaction in Methadone Treatment Clinics in China

This study examines provider-client interactions in the context of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in China. Service providers were recruited from six methadone clinics. A total of 41 providers were enrolled in the study and participated in an assessment from February to March 2010. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed. Providers with a higher level of negative attitude toward drug users were less likely than others to interact with clients. Female providers were less likely to have negative attitudes toward drug users as compared with their male counterparts. Doctors were more likely than others to have negative attitudes toward drug users. Knowledge of MMT was not related to either negative attitude toward drug users or to provider-client interaction. The findings indicate an urgent need to address the issue of provider attitudes, which can impact interactions with clients and influence efforts to maintain treatment retention and outcomes for drug users.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of health care workers towards clients of sexual health services in Fiji

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to identify the attitudes and behaviours of health care workers (HCWs) in health care settings (HCS) in Fiji involving 369 participants. Self-rated knowledge of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) varied depending on whether the HCS was divisional or sub-divisional, and varied between the various national divisions. HCWs with experience in HIV, reproductive health and antenatal clinics had higher self-rated HIV knowledge. A high proportion had a fear of catching HIV from HIV-positive clients. This study found high levels of negative attitudes towards clients from vulnerable groups with regards to the transmission and spread of HIV. Study participants also reported observing differential treatment by their colleagues if a client was known to have or was suspected of having HIV. There is a need for further HIV education of HCWs, with training focussed on occupational risk, and on reducing stigma and discrimination of those living with or vulnerable to HIV in Fiji.

Religious Orientation and Attitudes towards Gay Marriage and Homosexual Bishops

The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between religious orientation and attitudes towards two contentious issues about human sexuality in the Church of England, by studying the broad range of people found attending an Anglican cathedral carol service. A sample of 381 individuals who attended a carol service at Worcester cathedral in December 2009 thoroughly completed the New Indices of Religious Orientation (NIRO). The scales were found to be reliable for the sample. The same participants responded to two statements relating to their attitudes towards gay marriage and the appointment of homosexual men as bishops. Both men and older people are found to report higher levels of negative attitudes towards both issues. Strong positive correlations are found between intrinsic religious orientation and negative attitudes towards gay marriage and gay bishops; these remain after controlling for age and sex. After further controlling for intrinsic and extrinsic orientation, it is found that quest orientation is positively associated with favourable views towards both issues. Areas for further research are identified.

Gender Differences in Human–Animal Interactions: A Review

ABSTRACTI review the direction and magnitude (effect sizes) of gender differences that have been reported in several areas of human–animal interactions. These include: attitudes toward the treatment of animals, attachment to pets, involvement in animal protectionism, animal hoarding, hunting, animal abuse, and bestiality. Women, on average, show higher levels of positive behaviors and attitudes toward animals (e.g., attitudes towards their use, involvement in animal protection), whereas men typically have higher levels of negative attitudes and behaviors (e.g., hunting, animal abuse, less favorable attitudes toward animal protection). The effect sizes of gender differences range from small (e.g., attachment), to medium size (e.g., attitudes toward animal use) to large (e.g., animal rights activism, animal abuse by adults.) In most areas, there is considerable overlap between men and women, with much greater within-sex than between-sex variation. Research on the roles of gender in human–animal relationships is hindered by the omission in many reports of gender difference effect sizes and basic descriptive statistics.

Assessment of Patients with Phobic Dental Anxiety

Berggren U, Carlsson SG, Hakeberg M, Hägglin C, Samsonowitz V. Assessment of patients with phobic dental anxiety.This study investigated a screening procedure for psychologic distress in adult patients with dental phobia before treatment of dental fear. The screening procedure was performed among 191 individuals in consecutive steps and included a medical/dental history, psychologic interviewing, and testing. Data collected during this process were analyzed and compared with SCL-90(R) data. The screening process was successful in selecting individuals without major psychologic distress problems. Among the excluded patients 91% had general symptoms scores on the SCL-90(R) exceeding a normative population mean, and 95% of included patients had a mean lower than an average for psychiatric outpatients. There were statistically significant differences between included and excluded patients on all subdimensions of the SCL-90. Thus, excluded patients had higher levels of psychologic distress, poorer psychosocial background, and more psychosomatic symptoms. This was accompanied by higher levels of negative attitudes toward dentists and their performance of dentistry, whereas no significant differences were found among the dental fear measures used.