Improving Tobacco-Free Advocacy on College Campuses: A Novel Strategy to Aid in the Understanding of Student Perceptions About Policy Proposals

Abstract

Objective: Tobacco-control policy proposals are usually met with opposition on college campuses. Research to understand students’ viewpoints about health-related policy proposals and messaging strategies, however, does not exist. This study investigated students’ perceptions about a smoke-free policy proposal to help understand their positions of support and opposition and to inform the development of effective messaging strategies. Participants: In January 2012, 1,266 undergraduate students from a midwestern university completed an online questionnaire about smoke-free campus policies. Methods: Responses were coded and analyzed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software and chi-square, independent-samples t tests, and binary logistic models. Results: Most students who supported a smoke-free policy considered environmental or aesthetic conditions, whereas most opponents used personal freedom frames of thought. Supporters viewed smoking policies in personal terms, and opponents suggested means-ends policy reasoning. Conclusions: Taken together, points of reference and emotions about proposed policies provided insight about participants’ perspectives to help inform effective policy advocacy efforts.     

Affective Mediation of Homophobic Reactions to Homosexual Males

Abstract

In a test of the assumed dissimilarity/revulsion (AD/R) model of homophobia, 58 heterosexual males who differed in homophobia participated in an acquaintanceship exercise with a male partner who self-disclosed, midway through the exercise, that his sexual orientation was homosexual or heterosexual. As predicted by the AD/R model, (1) participants high in homophobia became less emotionally invested in their self-disclosures after learning of a homosexual partner's sexual orientation, whereas those low in homophobia disclosed with more emotion over time; (2) participants high in homophobia interacting with a homosexual partner reported more negative affect stemming from the acquaintanceship exercise, evaluated their partner less favorably and indicated greater desired and actual social distancing from their partner than did participants in the remaining three conditions; and (3) the relatively negative behavioral/evaluative responses of participants high in homophobia to homosexual (but not heterosexual) partners were mediated by their affective reactions to the acquaintanceship exercise.     

Learning to Be Invisible

Abstract

This study is based on E-mail interviews with 27 self-identified lesbian and bisexual female high school students. The interviews were conducted in an informal style over a period of several months, permitting the participants an opportunity to respond to a series of questions, as well as voice any other concerns relevant to their school experiences. This process involved three distinct objectives: (a) to define the forms of homophobia and heterosexism in the high school environment, (b) to explore ways in which homophobia and heterosexism have impacted the participants, and (c) to propose ways to combat heterosexism and homophobia in high schools. This paper gives voice to these young lesbian and female bisexual students so that readers may develop a better understanding of the realities of their experiences in school.     

Are Peer Educators Really Peers?

Objective, Participants, and Methods: To determine whether peer educators are considered peers by their audiences, the authors compared 28 peer educators and 28 college students on their personal qualities using self-report surveys. Results: Students who wanted to become peer educators reported higher self-esteem, greater leadership skills, and fewer risky health behaviors than did demographically similar college students. However, peer educators appeared similar to their colleagues in terms of personal values and personality temperament. Conclusions: Although peer educators are natural leaders with strong self-esteem and more healthy behaviors, they appear to be quite similar to their audiences in regard to values and temperaments, making them successful role models and arguably true peers.     

Pedagogical and Policy Challenges in Implementing E-Learning in Social Work Education

SUMMARY

This paper provides a summary of the findings from in-depth interviews with thirty social work educators and administrators involved in developing and offering e-learning in their programs in Canada. Using qualitative data analysis, four interrelated categories were developed: Professional Challenges, Pedagogical Challenges, Faculty Challenges and Administrative Challenges. A large number of issues were identified in each of these categories. Six themes emerged from the study. These themes form a two-part framework for examining policy issues and implementation tasks. The findings have pedagogical and policy implications for social work educators who are implementing e-learning in their programs.     

Prevention of preK-12 School Employee Sexual Misconduct and Abuse

ABSTRACT

The abuse of preK-12 students by school personnel is a pervasive, understudied topic that has behavioral, psychological and monetary consequences for victims, their families, and their communities. This special issue is the second of a two-part series and focuses on studies of school employee sexual misconduct prevention training programs and prevention issues and frameworks. This compilation of articles presents evidence that effective training can lead to improved awareness and behavior changes, concerns about policy implementation that may contribute to continued prevalence, and presents strategies and guidelines for prevention. These articles provide considerations for prevention including training, loopholes, and frameworks.     

Older lesbians' experiences with home care: Varying levels of disclosure and discrimination

ABSTRACT

There is considerable evidence that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults have experienced barriers to health care access and have profound fears about how they will be treated in the long-term care system, but the specific experiences of older lesbians have received less attention. Most older adults needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) prefer to remain at home, and this is true for lesbians as well. This article reports on a national, qualitative study of the experiences of 20 older lesbians (age 65 and older) with home care workers. The experiences of six informal partner caregivers with home care services are also included. Emergent themes regarding level of disclosure, experiences with homophobia, evaluation of care received, and thoughts about ideal LTSS are described. Most study participants did not disclose their sexual orientation to their home care workers. A significant minority experienced homophobia, but nearly all ultimately found workers who provided good care with which they were comfortable. Their visions of ideal LTSS included greater affordability and particular qualities that were important for home care workers to possess, such as competence, caring and acceptance. Practice and policy implications are outlined including careful recruitment, training and supervision of home care workers to foster lesbian-sensitive care, but also improved wages and work conditions in order to maintain a quality home care workforce.     

Relationships Among Internalized Homophobia,Sexual Identity Development,and Coping Resources of Lesbian and Bisexual Women

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among internalized homophobia, sexual identity development, and select coping resources (social ease, self-disclosure, social support, and financial freedom) for 182 lesbian and bisexual women. Bivariate analysis results demonstrated that internalized homophobia was significantly negatively correlated to social ease and self-disclosure. Sexual identity development was also found to be significantly correlated to social ease and self-disclosure. Regression analysis revealed that sexual identity, social ease, and self-disclosure accounted for 30% of the variance in internalized homophobia. Counseling implications, limitations of the study, and future research implications are presented.     

Jordan's Principle and Indigenous Children with Disabilities in Canada: Jurisdiction,Advocacy, and Research

This article discusses Indigenous¹¹In this article, the terms Indigenous, First Nations, Aboriginal, and Treaty Indian are used interchangeably, and as needed to describe the political reality of the First Peoples of Canada. children with disabilities in Canada and examines their experiences with federal and provincial jurisdictional and funding disputes. It explores Canada's adversarial legal and policy techniques to delay implementation and funding of Jordan's Principle, a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal action seeking to address the delays, and the recommendations of a recent independent Canadian research project. Finally, it suggests ways to advance Jordan's Principle in Canada and elsewhere.     

An Examination of the Construct of Homophobia

Abstract

Despite mounting debate as to its accuracy, the term homophobia continues to serve as the primary label associated with anti-homosexual responses. Logan's (1996) study demonstrated that homoprejudice is a more valid way to characterize such responses in college students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of anti-homosexual responses in a diverse adult population. Findings indicated support for Logan's hypothesis, demonstrating that anti-homosexual responses are better characterized as a form of prejudice than as a phobia. Further, results also indicated that individuals are less tolerant of gay men than lesbians, and that racial minorities are less tolerant than their white counterparts. The implications of these findings as well as those associated with a change in terminology from homophobia to homoprejudice are discussed. Areas of further research are also identified.     

Counselors as Social Advocates

ABSTRACT

The authors discuss the importance of social advocacy and empowerment models in working with lesbian clients. They also explore the multiple contexts that impact lesbian clients and their families. A case illustration involving a lesbian client facing issues of internalized homophobia, heterosexism, sexism, and legal issues is presented. Suggestions for applying a feminist and social advocacy approach are offered.     

Impact of the Adoption of Tobacco-Free Campus Policies on Student Enrollment at Colleges and Universities,North Carolina, 2001–2010

Abstract

Objective: College and university administrators have expressed concern that adoption of tobacco-free policies may reduce applications and enrollment. This study examines adoption and implementation of 100% tobacco-free campus policies by institutions of higher education on applications and enrollment. Participants: North Carolina private colleges and universities and public community colleges. Analysis was conducted in 2011. Methods: Student enrollment and application data were analyzed by campus type to determine (a) if there was a difference in student applications and enrollment before and after policy implementation, and (b) if there was a difference in student applications and enrollment for campuses with versus without a policy. Results: No significant differences were found in student enrollment or applications when comparing years prior to and following policy implementation or when comparing with institutions without 100% tobacco-free campus policies. Conclusions: The authors found no evidence that 100% tobacco-free policy adoption had an impact on student enrollment or applications.     

Acculturation Level and Internalized Homophobia of Asian American Lesbian and Bisexual Women

ABSTRACT

This is an exploratory study of the acculturation level and internalized homophobia of Asian American lesbian and bisexual women. Participants were 27 Asian American women self-disclosed as lesbian or bisexual. They completed a demographic sheet, the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA; Suinn et al., 1987), and the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale (LIHS; Szymanski & Chung, 2001). Results suggest that Asian-identified persons have lower levels of internalized homophobia than Western-identified persons. There were no significant differences in levels of internalized homophobia between bicultural persons and Asian or Western-identified persons. Counseling and psychological implications, future research directions, and limitations of the study are presented.     

Heterosexual Attitudes to Homosexuality

Abstract

This study compared attitudes towards homosexuality of 164 students from two faculties at a rural Australian university. Eighty-two percent of participants were aged from 18–24 years, 65% percent of the sample were female with 58% of participants enrolled in a humanities course and 42% in a business course. A cross-sectional design using the Heterosexual Attitudes to Homosexuals (H.A.T.H.) and Fear of HIV/AIDS questionnaires found that for the total sample the major predictors of homophobia were fear of HIV/AIDS, gender, religiosity, and academic major. Business majors were significantly more homophobic than humanities majors. The findings imply that homophobia may be prevalent among university faculties and that staff and student programs need to be implemented to address homophobia, especially among business majors and lecturers.     

Differences in university students’ motivation between a required and an elective physical activity education policy

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine differences in students’ physical activity motivation, competence, and weekly exercise metabolic equivalent units (METs) between universities with different physical activity education (PAE) policy arrangements (ie, a required PAE vs. an elective PAE). Participants: Participants (N?=?953) were purposefully recruited from two universities with different PAE policies 1 week before the start of fall term 2015. Methods: Participants completed questionnaires assessing their physical activity motivation, competence, and weekly exercise METs. Results: The results of this study suggest that having a required PAE policy allows for more students with lower self-determined forms of motivation (ie, amotivation) to be reached in comparison to the elective PAE policy. Conclusions: This finding highlights that a primary value of having a required PAE policy is its ability to reach less motivated students.     

Multicultural Existence in the Workplace:

This essay will examine some of the issues that queer workers must deal with, with particular attention to the dynamics of multiple undervalued identities of individuals in the workplace. The interplay of racism, sexism and homophobia is explored focusing on three key areas: special challenges in the workplace; advancement concerns; and safety issues and survival strategies. It also examines the impact of internalized homophobia and horizontal hostility in each of these areas. While grounded in my personal standpoints, as a Latina and Lesbian in academia, the issues raised have broader applications for diverse indivualds across a variety of occupational settings.     

A Review of Multicomponent Interventions to Prevent and Control Tobacco Use Among College Students

Abstract

Objective: Multicomponent tobacco control programs have been implemented at the state and community levels and have led to a reduction in tobacco use. The purpose was to review the public health research literature on tobacco prevention and control programs on college campuses and derive evidence-based implications for comprehensive program implementation. Methods: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, and PubMed databases were used to search the research literature concerning tobacco prevention and control programs conducted on college campuses published between 2000 and 2009. Results: No studies were found that implemented all 5 recommended components of a comprehensive program. Tobacco control programs containing policy and prevention education were used the most and promotion of tobacco-free environments and banning sales of tobacco products were used the least. Conclusion: The review suggests that despite the recommendation of comprehensive tobacco control programs to reduce tobacco use on college campuses, few institutions have implemented and evaluated programs consisting of multiple components.     

Using action methods to counter social isolation and shame among gay men

ABSTRACT

Despite legal and cultural amelioration of homophobia, shame and internalized homophobia persist with concomitant adverse health and mental health consequences. J. L. Moreno's system of psychodrama, sociometry, and group psychotherapy offers approaches that help counter shame and internalized homophobia and increase peer support among diverse groups of gay men. Sociometric tools help create safety, establish group cohesion, build interpersonal connections, and strengthen identification and a sense of universality. The technique of doubling increases empathy. Explorations conducted during brief enactments using psychodramatic techniques heighten appreciation for diversity in the community while promoting self-acceptance and increased self-efficacy. Group sharing guidelines help strengthen mutual identification and mitigate shame and social isolation.     

A Survey of Social Policy Placements in BSW Education

Abstract

CSWE-accredited U.S. BSW programs were surveyed regarding policy placements. The response rate was 39 percent. Thirty-three percent of the programs had policy placements and, of a total of 4,872 students, only 124 were in policy placements. Associated factors were: (1) the respondent believed that policy practice was compatible with generalist BSW practice; and (2) the respondent believed that BSW practitioners should spend a higher proportion of their time on policy practice. Distance from the state capital was significant for programs within 90 miles. The discussion includes identifying the need to increase the number of policy placements and suggestions for accomplishing this.     

Sexual Harassment of Lesbians in the Workplace

Abstract

This article explores the literature addressing sexual harassment of lesbians and discusses the ways in which one form of prejudice, that against lesbians, contributes to this problem. The first section of the article discusses the lesbian experience of violence, harassment, and discrimination. In exploring the above experiences of lesbians it becomes apparent that lesbians are the victims of a specific form of prejudice–homophobia. Homophobia impacts lesbians in two ways: (1) in the form of negative attitudes and denigrating or destructive acts; and (2) by means of actual discrimination, whether overt or subtle. Unlike sexism and racism, homophobia has had little public discussion, and the article concludes with a discussion of the impact of homophobia on lesbians in the workplace.