Impact of Interviews on Heterosexual Students' Expressions of Cultural Competency

Authors

Carol Isaac, Mercer University, AtlantaFollow
Linda Behar-Horenstein, University of Florida, Gainesville

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the effects of a cultural competency intervention on dental pre-doctoral students’ attitudes toward individuals of a different sexual orientation. 22 heterosexual students interviewed gay or lesbian individuals and wrote reflective text. Results illustrated that participants found that their interviewees had “surprisingly similar” beliefs and values – especially in the areas of religion and family. Because of their “similar values,” these students expressed respect toward their interviewees who were “so different” than themselves. This conclusion of “sameness” forced them to see homosexuals as people, rather than a stigmatized invisible outgroup, mitigating sexual prejudice.

Keywords

Heterosexuality, Intervention, Qualitative, Sexual Prejudice, Healthcare

Author Bio(s)

Carol A. Isaac is an Assistant Professor of Research at Mercer University-Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA. Her areas of interest are qualitative research methods, and leadership in the biomedical sciences. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: isaac_ca@mercer.edu.

Linda S. Behar-Horenstein, PhD is a Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Policy, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, University of Florida. Her interests are the intersectionality between pedagogy and outcomes, faculty development; cultural and moral beliefs in educational outcomes; critical thinking and instruction.

Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number and title (Award # D85HP30030-01-00 Enhancement of predoctoral dental education at UF to meet oral health needs of diverse populations Human Educational Resources Service Administration).

Publication Date

10-3-2016

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2016.2502

Recommended APA Citation

Isaac, C., & Behar-Horenstein, L. (2016). Impact of Interviews on Heterosexual Students' Expressions of Cultural Competency. The Qualitative Report, 21(10), 1785-1798. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2016.2502