The Role of Sexual Prejudice and Aetiology Beliefs in the Italians' Attitudes Toward Adoption by Same-Sex Couples

• Published in: Europe's journal of psychology Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 464 - 475
• Main Authors: Di Battista, Silvia, Paolini, Daniele, Mongelli, Lucia, Pivetti, Monica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany PsychOpen 01.11.2022; PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology
• Subjects: aetiology beliefs; gay fathers; lesbian mothers; Research Reports; same-sex couples; same-sex parenting; sexual orientation; sexual prejudice; sexual orientation; sexual prejudice; gay fathers; same-sex couples; same-sex parenting; aetiology beliefs; lesbian mothers
• ISSN: 1841-0413; 1841-0413
• DOI: 10.5964/ejop.7243

Research found that those who believe sexual orientation is inborn have generally positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women. However, other studies have also found that these beliefs could include negative eugenic ideas. This study aims to investigate the role of people's beliefs about the aetiology of sexual orientation in attitudes toward adoption for both gay and lesbian couples in Italy. We hypothesized that this relationship would be mediated by sexual prejudice. To test the predictions, 256 Italian heterosexual participants were asked to answer questions on a scale about their beliefs regarding the aetiology of sexual orientation, sexual prejudice, and attitudes toward adoption by same-sex couples. Results confirmed that the relationship between aetiology beliefs and support for adoption by gay and lesbian couples was fully mediated by sexual prejudice. These results suggest that the belief that sexual orientation is controllable may serve to justify one's prejudice and, in turn, result in a lower support for same-sex couples' adoption.