Study on Stigma Consciousness and Perceived Discrimination of Sexual Minority Groups among College Students: An Intervention Research on Imagined Intergroup Contact

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmhs.202505307

Author(s)

Ran Yu1, Peipei Li2,3,*, Jiaxi Wu1, Xin Li1, Mengxiang He1, Dan Li3

Affiliation(s)

1First Clinical School, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China 2School of Life Sciences and Medical Technology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China 3Office of Student Work Guidance Committee (Student Affairs Department), Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aims to explore the current state of stigma awareness and perception of discrimination among college students regarding sexual minorities, and to assess the intervention effects of imagined intergroup contact. A mixed - method research design was employed. Initially, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 118 undergraduate students. Subsequently, 50 participants were selected for a 3 (Positive Contact Group / Negative Contact Group / Control Group) × 2(Pretest / Posttest) experimental design. The measurement of explicit and implicit attitudes was carried out using the Sexual Minority Stigma Awareness Scale, the Discrimination Perception Scale, and the Single - Category Implicit Association Test (SC - IAT). The stigma awareness was significantly higher than the theoretical median value (M = 3.42), (t = 6.683), (p < 0.01), while the perception of discrimination was relatively low (M = 2.13), (t = - 17.815), (p < 0.01). A dissociation was found between the two variables (r = 0.032), (p = 0.749). Students from urban areas demonstrated a more open - minded attitude towards homosexuality (Delta = 0.24), (p = 0.019). Positive imagined intergroup contact significantly enhanced the stability of implicit attitudes (r = 0.76 \), (p < 0.01 \)), yet it did not lead to a change in explicit attitudes. The stigma awareness among college students towards sexual minorities presents a dissociation of "high cognitive level-low behavioral manifestation". To address this prejudice, it is necessary to adopt a dual - approach strategy that combines the optimization of the cultural environment and subconscious intervention.

Keywords

Sexual Minority Groups; Stigma Consciousness; Perceived Discrimination; College Students; Implicit Attitude

References

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