(PS6-10) Bridging the Gap: The Effects of Intergroup Contact on Emotions and LGBTIQ+ History Knowledge Among Cisgender Heterosexual Individuals

Background: Research has shown that intergroup contact between cisgender, heterosexual and LGBTIQ+ individuals may be associated with a deeper understanding of struggles around LGBTIQ+ experiences (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Individuals with LGBTIQ+ identifying friends are more likely to report higher levels of allyship, engage in LGBTIQ+-affirming behaviors, hold positive attitudes toward LGBTIQ+ individuals, and have increased sensitivity to LGBTIQ+ perspectives (Barbir et al., 2016; Fingerhut, 2011; Knepp, 2020; Galupo & St John, 2001). For the purposes of this study, our team adapted the Historical Loss Associated Symptoms Scale (Whitbeck et al., 2004) and piloted a novel 13 item measure assessing knowledge of LGBTIQ+ history.

These analyses examine factors related to one’s understanding of LGBTIQ+ experiences, and we hypothesized that for cisgender, heterosexual people, having greater numbers of LGBTIQ+ individuals in someone’s social circle would be associated with greater knowledge of, and heightened emotional reactions to, LGBTIQ+ Historical Trauma.

Methods: Participants included Introduction to Psychology students of all sexual and gender identities from two universities who completed the survey online for course credit (n=451).

Results: We performed a one-way ANOVA to investigate the relationship between the number of LGBTIQ+ individuals in someone’s social circle and scores on the History Knowledge measure. For cisgender, heterosexual participants, there was a statistically significant, positive relationship between the number of LGBTIQ+ individuals in one’s social circle and their history knowledge, F(3,311) = 12.218, p</em> < .001. Similarly, participants with any LGBTIQ+ individuals (1-2, 3-5, or 6+) in their social circle were significantly more likely to experience negative emotions in response to thinking about instances of LGBTIQ+ oppression and trauma, F(3,310) = 9.928, p < .001. For all students, regardless of identity, levels of historical knowledge and negative emotional experiences related to LGBTIQ+ historical events were significantly correlated, r(451) = .358, p < .001.

Discussion: Following the initial piloting of the LGBTIQ+ Historical Trauma and History Knowledge measure, our research group is eager to expand the sample to include broader populations; mental healthcare providers, in particular. Results suggest that all participants had relatively low levels of LGBTIQ+ historical knowledge regardless of their identities, and this is critical to consider as practitioners strive to provide trauma-informed care, incorporate affirming therapies, and tailor interventions such as CBT to diverse populations, including LGBTIQ+ people. These results emphasize the importance of intergroup contact in increasing understanding of and appropriate reactions to LGBTIQ+ oppression. To utilize these findings, results from this study should be considered in how to best increase intergroup contact among cisgender, heterosexual and LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly in the healthcare setting.