Predictors of LGBT Recognition by Health Sciences University Students in Japan

Background: This study aimed to identify the predictors of LGBT recognition by health sciences university students in Japan. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used quantitative data collected from 481 returned self-report questionnaires distributed to 866 health sciences undergraduate and graduate students. The following survey item and scales were used for measuring the main outcomes: Thoughts about sexual identity, Empathy scale, Objectivity scale, and LGBT recognition scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple regression analyses. SPSS ver. 23.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis at a 5% significance level. Results: The number of returned questionnaires was 481 (55.5%). There was no significant difference in the LGBT recognition and the participant’s characteristics (e.g., age and medical history). The 5 significant predictors of LGBT recognition were: 1) Empathy (β = 0.19, p LGBT learning experience (β = 0.18, p Objectivity (β = 0.15, p Sexual problem with a close person (β = 0.13, p Suffering from gender identity (β = 0.09, p Conclusions: The predictive factors of LGBT recognition were Empathy, LGBT learning experience, Objectivity, Sexual problem with a close person, and Suffering from gender identity. Careful development and implementation of LGBT educational programs are needed to better understand the situations and ideas of LGBT parties to enhance their recognition.