University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Graduate School Professional Papers 2018 Measuring Contact with Transgender Individuals: An Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anti- Transgender Prejudice Oak Reed University of Montana Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Reed, Oak, "Measuring Contact with Transgender Individuals: An Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anti-Transgender Prejudice" (2018). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11197. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11197 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MEASURING CONTACT WITH TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS: AN EVALUATION OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTI-TRANSGENDER PREJUDICE By OAKLEIGH MARSHALL REED Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 2015 Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2018 Approved by: Scott Whittenburg, Dean of The Graduate School Graduate School Bryan N. Cochran, PhD, Thesis Chair Department of Psychology Duncan G. Campbell, PhD Department of Psychology Annie Sondag, PhD Department of Health and Human Performance © COPYRIGHT by Oakleigh M. Reed 2018 All Rights Reserved ii Reed, Oakleigh M., Master’s of Arts, Spring 2018 Major Clinical Psychology Measuring Contact with Transgender Individuals: An Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anti-Transgender Prejudice Chairperson: Bryan Cochran, PhD Co-Chairperson: Duncan Campbell, PhD Co-Chairperson: Annie Sondag, PhD Objectives: Research has suggested that transgender individuals experience high degrees of prejudice and discrimination (e.g., Grant et al., 2010; James et al., 2016). These attitudes affect transgender individuals in multiple domains, such as employment, education, healthcare, housing, public accommodations, and personal relationships (James et al., 2016). Importantly, contact as an intervention strategy has been shown to reduce anti-transgender prejudice quickly and effectively, especially when compared to other prejudice reduction methods (Walch et al., 2012; Case & Stewart, 2013; Tompkins, Sheilds, Hillman, & White, 2015). The aim of the current study was to explore how different types of contact (e.g., personal, educational, and general media) may relate to anti-transgender prejudice. Methods: Undergraduates at a Rocky Mountain West public university (N = 347; Mage = 21.8, SD = 6.8) were recruited for participation in the study through their psychology courses. Participants responded to a general demographic questionnaire, a measure of different types of contact with transgender individuals, and the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (Hill & Willoughby, 2005). Results: Analyses revealed significant differences for all three types of contact (personal, educational, and general media) regarding their relationship with anti-transgender prejudice. Independent-sample t-tests found that individuals with no personal contact, when compared to participants with personal contact, exhibited a significantly lower average rating (i.e., low average rating indicates more prejudice) on the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS; t(345)= −7.675, p < .001). This result was consistent with contact with educational materials (t(345)= −3.248, p = .001) and general media outlets (t(345)= −3.359, p = .001). Furthermore, regression analyses yielded significant equations that highlight the relationship between increased contact across all categories and a measurable decrease in anti-transgender prejudices. Conclusion: This is the first study of which we are aware that indicates an association between contact measured in multiple ways with transgender individuals and varying levels of anti- transgender prejudice. Such differences in the relationship between contact method and anti- transgender prejudice might inform interventions across multiple contexts, including educational and clinical settings. iii Dedication This manuscript is dedicated to those who have supported me through my journey to complete this project. I would like to especially dedicate this to my loving and encouraging family, my fabulous and inspiring mentor, and plentiful, amazing friends in and out of the psychology program that I have had the privilege to befriend. Of course, I cannot forget my beautiful wife. Thank you for your unconditional love, your patience throughout the late nights and early mornings, and your never-ending encouragement to become a better instructor, clinician, researcher, and all-round person. I love you with all my heart. iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank my mentor, chair, and friend, Dr. Bryan Cochran, for more than could ever be listed in an acknowledgement. I am a better person for having you in my life, and I thank you for that. I would like to thank the members of my committee. Dr. Duncan Campbell, I want to thank you for your constructive feedback, tough, yet provocative questioning in the prospectus meeting, and for continually pushing me to be a thorough (and grammatically correct) researcher. Dr. Annie Sondag, thank you for your joyful presence and shared passion in improving the lives of transgender individuals. It has been a delight to work with you in several capacities. I would like to especially thank my cohort: future Drs. Ivie English, Jacob Bloch, Jessica Peatee, and Kristen Pyke. Thank you for the laughs, needed distractions, and nights out on the town. I also want to thank my mentor and friend, Dr. Nick Livingston, for his ongoing guidance on statistical analyses and his already substantial contribution to my professional development. Finally, I would like to thank my lab mates and the countless undergraduate researchers directly involved with this project. Each of you have contributed in some way, shape, or form that ultimately made this project a success. v Table of Contents Abstract iii Dedication iv Acknowledgements v List of Tables vii Introduction 1 Defining Transgender Identities 1 Anti-Transgender Prejudice 3 Anti-LGB Prejudice 5 Implications of Prejudice, Stigma, & Discrimination 6 Mental Health Encounters 9 Social Contact Hypothesis 12 Present Study and Hypotheses 17 Methods 17 Participants 17 Sample Size Estimates 17 Procedure 18 Measures 20 Results 23 Descriptive Data for Study Measures 23 Measures of Contact 24 Measure of Prejudice 27 Test of Hypotheses 27 Discussion 32 General Discussion 32 Implications 36 Limitations and Future Directions 38 Conclusion 40 References 41 Appendices A – H, Survey Materials 49 vi List of Tables Table 1 74 Table 2.1 – 2.3 76 Table 3.1 – 3.2 79 Table 4 81 Table 5.1 – 5.3 82 vii Measuring Contact with Transgender Individuals: An Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anti-Transgender Prejudice Introduction In societies around the world, transgender individuals experience pervasive stigmatization and discrimination. Previous research suggests that transgender individuals, compared to other highly stigmatized minority groups, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, experience some of the highest levels of prejudice (Dispenza, Warson, Chung, Brack, 2012; Grant et al., 2010; Hughto, Reisner, & Pachankis, 2015; James et al., 2016; Stotzer, 2009; Walch, Ngamake, Francisco, Stitt, & Shingler, 2013). Yet, despite evidence of such a high level of prejudice, research regarding transgender issues is still in a fairly nascent stage. Very little is known, for example, regarding factors associated with the motivation behind anti- transgender prejudice. Accordingly, the current study aims to explore factors that have an important relationship with anti-transgender prejudice, with specific focus on different types of contact (e.g., personal, educational, and general media) as potential prejudice-reduction interventions. This aim would serve subsequent development of specific intervention strategies to minimize stigma, prejudice, and discrimination toward transgender individuals. Defining Transgender Identities Sex is defined as the biological and physiological characteristics that define men, women and intersex individuals, whereas gender is defined as the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women (Belluardo- Crosby & Lillis, 2012). A frequently cited definition by Stryker (1994) considers transgender to be, “an umbrella term that refers to all identities or practices that cross over, cut across, move between, or otherwise queer socially constructed sex/gender boundaries” (p. 251). In other 1 words, transgender individuals are recognized as those who do not adhere to traditional gender norms by having a gender identity or expression that differs from their sexes assigned at birth (Hughto et al., 2015; King, Winter, & Webster, 2009; Norton & Herek, 2013; Tebbe, Moradi, & Ege, 2014). Given the multiplicity of gender identities and expressions subsumed by the transgender umbrella, it is important for a study to be sensitive and inclusive of the many manifestations when defining