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Correlates of Attitudes toward AIDS a
a
Teresa M. McDevitt , Eugene P. Sheehan , Randy a
Lennon & Anthony L. Ambrosio
a
a
Department of Educational Psychology , University of Northern Colorado , USA Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: Teresa M. McDevitt , Eugene P. Sheehan , Randy Lennon & Anthony L. Ambrosio (1990) Correlates of Attitudes toward AIDS, The Journal of Social Psychology, 130:5, 699-701, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1990.9922964 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1990.9922964
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
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The J O U r M 1 of Social Psychology. 130(5), 699-701
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
Replications and Refinements Under this heading appear summaries of studies which, in 500 words or less, provide useful data substantiating, not substantiating, or refining what we think we know. Additional details concerning the results can be obtained by communicating directly with the investigator or, when indicated, by requesting supplementary material from Microfiche Publications.
Correlates of Attitudes Toward AIDS TERESA M. McDEVITT EUGENE P. SHEEHAN RANDY LENNON ANTHONY L. AMBROSIO Department of Educational Psychology University of Northern Colorado
THE INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE of AIDS over the last few years has been accompanied by nearly hysteric reactions in some segments of the American general public (Herek & Glunt, 1988; Sheehan, Lennon, & McDevitt, 1989; Shilts, 1987). Despite the extent of this fear, people are not universally adopting specific behaviors that are known to reduce the risk of infection. Consequently, effective prevention programs are urgently needed that take into account what the prevalent attitudes toward AIDS are and how they are formed (Sheehan, 1990). The purpose of this investigation was to examine the properties of a new scale that assesses adults’ attitudes toward AIDS. In addition, it examined the presence of sex differences in these attitudes and the association between
A portion of this article was presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, New York, August 1987. Requests for reprints shouki be sent to Teresa M . McDevitt, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, Universiry of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639. 699
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
100
The Journal of Social Psychology
them and attitudes toward homosexuality. It is a partial replication, with a new measure of fear of AIDS, of a study by Bouton et al. (1987, 1989). With data collected in 1985 from a group of 527 undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin, Bouton and colleagues found a correlation of .55 between measures of fear of AIDS and homophobia. Although men were more homophobic than women in their sample, there were no sex differences in fear of AIDS. In our investigation, new 16item AIDS phobia and 21-item homophobia Likert scales were administered to students at the University of Northern Colorado during 1986 (n = 358) and 1988 (n = 375). For the two administrations, Cronbach’s (1951) alpha equaled or exceeded .89 for each scale. Measures of AIDS phobia and homophobia were highly associated in both samples (1986 group, r = .75,p < .001; 1988 group, r = .70,p < .001.) This association persisted when two composite scores about the need to restrict individuals with AIDS and homosexuals from certain professions (police officer, restaurant worker, childcare provider, teacher, actor, firefighter, physician, and minister) were taken into account through partial correlation ( r = .53, p < .001; data available for the 1986 group only). Thus, like Bouton et al. (1987, 1989), we found that beliefs about public policy restrictions accounted for a large part of the association between fear of AIDS and homophobia, but the association persisted when the effects of these beliefs were taken into account. In addition, sex differences were present for both homophobia in the 1986 group, t(356) = 4.32, p < .001, and in the 1988 group, r(373) = 6.95, p < .001, and for AIDS phobia in the 1986 group, f(355) = 3.95, p < .001, and in the 1988 group, t(373) = 5.59, p < .001. In both cases, men reported more fear than did women. In general, the results are consistent with the findings of Bouton et al. (1987, 1989). With different measures and samples, both investigations yielded significant associations between fear of AIDS and homophobia, although the magnitude of the association was considerably higher in the present investigation (.55 in comparison to .75 and .70). Also as in Bouton’s sample, men in our samples were more homophobic than women. Unlike Bouton, we found a significant sex difference with AIDS phobia, with men expressing more fear of AIDS than women, perhaps because our measure of fear of AIDS displayed greater reliability. Furthermore, we found that the association between homophobia and AIDS phobia persisted when beliefs about the desirability of restricting individuals with AIDS and homosexuals from certain professions were taken into account. This finding is consistent with Herek and Glunt’s (1988) suggestion that attitudes towards AIDS are formed, in part, on the basis of preexisting attitudes toward homosexuals, a stigmatized group, whose high rate of contracting AIDS has been well publicized.
McDevitt, Sheehan, Lennon, & Ambmsio
701
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
REFERENCES Bouton, R. A., Gallaher, P. E., Garlinghouse, P. A., Leal, T., Rosenstein, L. D., & Young, R. K. (1987). Scales for measuring fear of AIDS and homophobia. Journal of Personality Assessment, 51, 606-614. Bouton, R. A., Gallaher, P. E., Garlinghouse, P. A., Leal, T., Rosenstein, L. D., & Young, R. K. (1989). Demographic variables associated with fear of AIDS and homophobia. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 885-901. Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16, 297-334. Herek, G. M., & Glunt, E. K. (1988). An epidemic of stigma: Public reactions to AIDS. American Psychologist, 43, 886-891. Sheehan, E. P. (1990). AIDS among college students: A review of research with recommendations for education. Manuscript submitted for publication. Sheehan, E. P., Lennon, R., & McDevitt, T. M. (1989). Reactions to AIDS and other illnesses: Reported interactions in the workplace. Journal of Psychology, 123,525-536. Shilts, R. (1987). And the bandplayed on: Politics, people, and the AIDS epidemic. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Received December 8, I989
The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Correlates of Attitudes toward AIDS a
a
Teresa M. McDevitt , Eugene P. Sheehan , Randy a
Lennon & Anthony L. Ambrosio
a
a
Department of Educational Psychology , University of Northern Colorado , USA Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: Teresa M. McDevitt , Eugene P. Sheehan , Randy Lennon & Anthony L. Ambrosio (1990) Correlates of Attitudes toward AIDS, The Journal of Social Psychology, 130:5, 699-701, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1990.9922964 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1990.9922964
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The J O U r M 1 of Social Psychology. 130(5), 699-701
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
Replications and Refinements Under this heading appear summaries of studies which, in 500 words or less, provide useful data substantiating, not substantiating, or refining what we think we know. Additional details concerning the results can be obtained by communicating directly with the investigator or, when indicated, by requesting supplementary material from Microfiche Publications.
Correlates of Attitudes Toward AIDS TERESA M. McDEVITT EUGENE P. SHEEHAN RANDY LENNON ANTHONY L. AMBROSIO Department of Educational Psychology University of Northern Colorado
THE INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE of AIDS over the last few years has been accompanied by nearly hysteric reactions in some segments of the American general public (Herek & Glunt, 1988; Sheehan, Lennon, & McDevitt, 1989; Shilts, 1987). Despite the extent of this fear, people are not universally adopting specific behaviors that are known to reduce the risk of infection. Consequently, effective prevention programs are urgently needed that take into account what the prevalent attitudes toward AIDS are and how they are formed (Sheehan, 1990). The purpose of this investigation was to examine the properties of a new scale that assesses adults’ attitudes toward AIDS. In addition, it examined the presence of sex differences in these attitudes and the association between
A portion of this article was presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association, New York, August 1987. Requests for reprints shouki be sent to Teresa M . McDevitt, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, Universiry of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639. 699
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
100
The Journal of Social Psychology
them and attitudes toward homosexuality. It is a partial replication, with a new measure of fear of AIDS, of a study by Bouton et al. (1987, 1989). With data collected in 1985 from a group of 527 undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin, Bouton and colleagues found a correlation of .55 between measures of fear of AIDS and homophobia. Although men were more homophobic than women in their sample, there were no sex differences in fear of AIDS. In our investigation, new 16item AIDS phobia and 21-item homophobia Likert scales were administered to students at the University of Northern Colorado during 1986 (n = 358) and 1988 (n = 375). For the two administrations, Cronbach’s (1951) alpha equaled or exceeded .89 for each scale. Measures of AIDS phobia and homophobia were highly associated in both samples (1986 group, r = .75,p < .001; 1988 group, r = .70,p < .001.) This association persisted when two composite scores about the need to restrict individuals with AIDS and homosexuals from certain professions (police officer, restaurant worker, childcare provider, teacher, actor, firefighter, physician, and minister) were taken into account through partial correlation ( r = .53, p < .001; data available for the 1986 group only). Thus, like Bouton et al. (1987, 1989), we found that beliefs about public policy restrictions accounted for a large part of the association between fear of AIDS and homophobia, but the association persisted when the effects of these beliefs were taken into account. In addition, sex differences were present for both homophobia in the 1986 group, t(356) = 4.32, p < .001, and in the 1988 group, r(373) = 6.95, p < .001, and for AIDS phobia in the 1986 group, f(355) = 3.95, p < .001, and in the 1988 group, t(373) = 5.59, p < .001. In both cases, men reported more fear than did women. In general, the results are consistent with the findings of Bouton et al. (1987, 1989). With different measures and samples, both investigations yielded significant associations between fear of AIDS and homophobia, although the magnitude of the association was considerably higher in the present investigation (.55 in comparison to .75 and .70). Also as in Bouton’s sample, men in our samples were more homophobic than women. Unlike Bouton, we found a significant sex difference with AIDS phobia, with men expressing more fear of AIDS than women, perhaps because our measure of fear of AIDS displayed greater reliability. Furthermore, we found that the association between homophobia and AIDS phobia persisted when beliefs about the desirability of restricting individuals with AIDS and homosexuals from certain professions were taken into account. This finding is consistent with Herek and Glunt’s (1988) suggestion that attitudes towards AIDS are formed, in part, on the basis of preexisting attitudes toward homosexuals, a stigmatized group, whose high rate of contracting AIDS has been well publicized.
McDevitt, Sheehan, Lennon, & Ambmsio
701
Downloaded by [Carnegie Mellon University] at 03:41 20 January 2015
REFERENCES Bouton, R. A., Gallaher, P. E., Garlinghouse, P. A., Leal, T., Rosenstein, L. D., & Young, R. K. (1987). Scales for measuring fear of AIDS and homophobia. Journal of Personality Assessment, 51, 606-614. Bouton, R. A., Gallaher, P. E., Garlinghouse, P. A., Leal, T., Rosenstein, L. D., & Young, R. K. (1989). Demographic variables associated with fear of AIDS and homophobia. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 885-901. Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16, 297-334. Herek, G. M., & Glunt, E. K. (1988). An epidemic of stigma: Public reactions to AIDS. American Psychologist, 43, 886-891. Sheehan, E. P. (1990). AIDS among college students: A review of research with recommendations for education. Manuscript submitted for publication. Sheehan, E. P., Lennon, R., & McDevitt, T. M. (1989). Reactions to AIDS and other illnesses: Reported interactions in the workplace. Journal of Psychology, 123,525-536. Shilts, R. (1987). And the bandplayed on: Politics, people, and the AIDS epidemic. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Received December 8, I989
