Use of a media intervention to increase positive attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals

Mark D Taracuk; Julie M Koch

doi:10.1080/26895269.2021.1878479

Use of a media intervention to increase positive attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals

Int J Transgend Health. 2021 Feb 12;24(1):86-98. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2021.1878479. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mark D Taracuk¹, Julie M Koch²

Affiliations

¹ Counseling Center, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA.
² School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.

Abstract

Background : As issues related to transgender and gender diverse individuals gain more national media attention, professional organizations that promote mental health and LGBTQ + rights continue to advocate for equality and inclusion. Barriers to equality and inclusion for transgender and gender diverse individuals can include a variety of factors including discrimination in educational and workplace settings, and issues related to housing, poverty, and homelessness.

Aim : To examine the impact of a media intervention on changing attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals.

Methods : A total of 223 students from a large, Midwestern university in the USA participated and received a 45-minute media intervention along with pre- and post-testing.

Results : A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in attitudes and beliefs toward transgender and gender diverse individuals using the Transgender Attitude and Beliefs Scale indicated a statistically significant interaction based on a media intervention where F(1, 109) = 7.042, p = .009. A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in willingness to engage in social action on behalf of this population measured by the Social Justice Scale did not indicate a statistically significant interaction based on the media intervention where F(1, 109) = .881, p = .350.

Conclusion : These findings suggest that a variety of potential media interventions can increase positive attitudes and beliefs toward marginalized groups, but a stronger and/or additional intervention is needed for participants to engage in social action on behalf of the group. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords: Transgender; attitudes; gender diverse; media intervention; social action.