Portuguese Faith and Attitude Towards

Homosexuality
Carvalho, C. & Pereira, H.1
1 UBI,

Departament of Psychology and Education

INTRODUCTION
In modern days religion and homosexuality are still dissonant
concepts.
The rejection of the difference in sexual orientation is translated
in sexual prejudice.
Prejudice is perceived when related to a non dominant sexual
orientation. All those who associate themselves with a sexual
minority will have to deal with the resulting oppression of that
status and, consequently, with the privilege of being heterosexual.
Negative attitudes towards other sexual orientations are most
likely the result of a system of beliefs that includes an elevated level
of religiosity and conservatism concerning sexuality.

GOALS

Female

Male

DP

DP

Global Attitude

135,05

20,23

124,81

28,62

-5,738

<0,001*

Acceptance

45,56

5,59

41,95

8,74

-6,968

<0,001*

Legal Framework

24,58

5,49

22,82

6,75

-3,872

<0,001*

Parentality

26,99

6,36

24,37

8,1

-4,877

<0,001*

Intimacy

16,83

4,35

15,96

5,04

-2,465

0,014*

Meaning

17,49

2,18

16,16

3,24

-6,732

<0,001*

Morality

3,64

1,45

3,58

1,3

-0,572

0,567

Figure 4. Results for to item Gender and

factors in the attitude (n= 800).

Analyse how the faith level of the sample is distributed,

independently of the religion professed by the individuals;
Analyse if the faith level, in higher or lower strength, is related to
the attitude towards homosexuals;
Analyse if the age, gender, marital status and education level are
related to a higher or lower prejudice;
According to the identified factors in the attitude measure
instrument, identify those who point to a bigger prejudice level;

METHODOLOGY

Figure 5. Results for to item

Adoption (n= 800).

PARTICIPANTS:
The sample in this study was composed of 800 individuals, 68,3%
of which is female 30,4% male, all resident in Continental Portugal
and Islands, with ages from 15 to 71 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

INSTRUMENTS:
The data was collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire
as well the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire
(SCSRF) and the Questionnaire of the Portuguese attitude towards
homosexuality (QAH).

RESULTS
N

Figure 1. Results for to item

Global Faith (n= 800).

Global Faith

Minimum Maximum

800

40

Results reveal a low level of faith among Portuguese (M=21.91)

and a tendency to acceptance of homosexuality (M=131.93).
Notwithstanding, Portuguese with a higher faith are more prone
do prejudice towards homosexuality l (M=126.98; p <0.05).
Men present more prejudice than women (M=124,81; p <0.05).

Md

MO

DP

Married Portuguese present more prejudice compared to other

civil status considered in the study (M=125,09; p <0.05).

21,91

23

10

8,26

Younger generations present a

homosexuality (M=131,11; M=132,97).

higher

acceptance

of

Subjects with higher education present a lower prejudice

(M=134,54; p <0.05).
N

Figure 2. Results for to item

Global Attitude (n= 800).

Global Attitude

800

Minimum Maximum
43

Low Level of Faith

Global Attitude
Acceptance

164

Md

MO

DP

131,93

138

143a

23,60

Trend to reject adoption by gay couples (aprox. 60%).

In conclusion, although there is a trend to accept homosexuality
among the Portuguese, prejudice still exists. This finding justifies
the involvement of psychology professionals in the development
of strategies to combat this type of discrimination and social
segregation.

High Level of Faith

DP

DP

135,92

21,73

126,98

24,91

5,395

<0,001*

45,4

6,15

43,28

7,59

4,354

<0,001*

Legal Framework

25,28

5,32

24,72

7,33

6,729

<0,001*

Parentality

27,36

6,56

24,72

7,33

5,361

<0,001*

Intimacy

17,18

4,56

15,85

4,57

4,09

<0,001*

Meaning

17,2

2,63

16,95

2,61

1,359

0,174

Morality

3,53

1,48

3,72

1,31

-1,94

0,053

Figure 3. Results for to item Level of Faith and

factors in the attitude (n= 800).

REFERENCES
Dermer, S. B., Smith, S. D., & Barto, K. K. (2010). Identifying and correctly labeling sexual
prejudice, discrimination, and oppression. Journal Of Counseling & Development, 88(3),
325-331. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2010.tb00029.x
Herek, G. M. (2004). Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma
in the Twenty-First Century. Sexuality Research & Social Policy: A Journal Of The NSRC,
1(2), 6-24. doi:10.1525/srsp.2004.1.2.6