title: Attitudes and Beliefs About the Acceptability and Justness of Peer Victimization of Lesbian and Gay University Students.
abstract: We evaluated the acceptability and justness of anti-lesbian and gay victimization among 473 undergraduates. Participants were assigned to one of four vignette conditions that described an individual being verbally victimized in a typical college setting. Each vignette varied by victim gender (male; female) and sexual orientation (lesbian/gay; heterosexual). Participants completed background questionnaires and a measure that assessed the acceptability of the actions described in the vignettes. Overall, victimization was rated as unacceptable regardless of the sexual orientation and gender of the victim. However, participants rated the victimization of lesbian and gay students as more harmful and unjust than victimization of heterosexual students. Although the acceptability of anti-lesbian and gay victimization was low, 3%-12% of participants rated anti-lesbian and gay victimization as slightly or completely acceptable and just. Given that victimization is associated with long-term negative outcomes, college administrators should consider interventions aimed at decreasing the acceptability of victimization among students.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bradbury
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Alan K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Jaclyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leith
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Nova
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hinman
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Lisham
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ashrafioun
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Jacob M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burmeister
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Bowling Green State University , Bowling Green , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Dryw
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dworsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D058445:Bullying; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D012935:Social Justice; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acceptability; beliefs; justness; lesbian and gay students; university; victimization