Gredig, Daniel
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Exploring social work students’ attitudes toward research courses: comparing students in Australia and Switzerland
Several studies have confirmed social work students’ reluctance about research courses. However, there remains little understanding of the determinants of students’ interest in research courses. This study aimed to contribute to a more robust understanding of underlying dynamics influencing students’ feelings regarding research courses through a comparison of students entering a BSW programme in Australia and Switzerland. We hypothesized that a) students’ interest in research courses was predicted by students’ fear of research courses and research orientation, b) their research orientation was determined by their fear of research courses, and c) their fear was predicted by their statistics anxiety and general self-efficacy. For data collection, we used an anonymous self-administered online questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analyses and structural equation modelling. The sample included 165 Australian and 245 Swiss students (N=410). In both student groups, interest in research courses was predicted by students’ fear of research courses and their research orientation. Fear of research courses was predicted by general self-efficacy and statistics anxiety. Fear of research courses did not determine research orientation. Regardless of the diverse contexts, in both groups the predictors of research interest proved to be the same.
Predictores del uso del condón en hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres en Costa Rica: comprobación del modelo de información, motivación y habilidades conductuales
Resumen: En Costa Rica se han incrementado los nuevos diagnósticos del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). La epidemia afecta desproporcionadamente a hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH). Por consiguiente, el foco de interés de este estudio se centró en la conducta de protección de estos y la identificación de predictores del uso del condón. El estudio persiguió indagar: a) estrategias personales de protección ante una infección por VIH de HSH de 18 a 24 años en Costa Rica, b) consistencia del uso del condón de este grupo con parejas ocasionales, c) en qué medida puede validarse el modelo de información, motivación y habilidades conductuales (IMB, por sus siglas en inglés) como explicativo del uso del condón. Se realizó una muestra de accesibilidad de 238 HSH de 18 a 24 años. La recopilación de datos se efectuó a través de entrevistas personales estandarizadas. El análisis estadístico se efectuó mediante estadística descriptiva y procedimientos bi y multivariadas. La comprobación del modelo IMB se realizó mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Los 119 encuestados con parejas ocasionales en los seis meses previos señalaron una amplia gama de estrategias personales de protección. Solo 5.6 % indicó no tomar conscientemente precauciones frente a una infección. De los participantes que mantuvieron relaciones anales con parejas ocasionales en los seis meses previos, 13.4 % indicaron haber utilizado siempre un condón. La prueba del modelo IMB evidenció que el uso del condón está codeterminado por la estrategia personal y la severidad percibida de una infección. Es decir, el modelo IMB no se comprobó en su totalidad. El estudio genera información que puede servir como base para la prevención y destaca el rol de las estrategias personales de protección frente al VIH y de inhibidores situacionales y relacionados a la pareja. Los resultados invitan a la extensión del modelo IMB. Abstract: During the last decade in Costa Rica, the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections has increased. As in many countries across the globe, men who have sex with men (MSM) have been disproportionally affected. Given the need for a knowledge base for interventions, this study focussed on the HIV-protection behaviour of young MSM and predictors of condom use. Specifically, the aim of the study was a) to identify the personal HIV protection strategies which had been adopted by young MSM aged 18-24 living in Costa Rica, b) to assess the consistency of condom use of young MSM when having sex with casual partners, and c) to test the explanatory power of the Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills (IMB) model regarding the condom use of MSM with casual partners. For our data collection, we conducted standardized personal interviews with an availability sample of 238 young MSM aged 18-24. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses. The IMB model was tested using structural equation modelling. The 119 participants who had sex with casual partners had adopted a wide range of personal HIV protection strategies. Only 5.6% of the respondents reported that they had not adopted a strategy to consciously prevent an HIV infection. Among those MSM who had had anal sex with casual partners in the six previous months, 13.4% reported consistent condom use. The test of the IMB model showed that the consistency of condom use was predicted by the personal HIV protection strategy and the perceived severity of an HIV infection. Thus, the data did not fully confirm the IMB model. This study provides insights into condom use of young MSM with casual partners and, thus, adds to the knowledge base needed for the development of prevention offers. It demonstrates the impact of personal HIV protection strategies as well as situational and partner-related barriers to condom use. The findings offer an incentive to further develop and extend the IMB model.
Heterosexist attitudes amongst students entering a Bachelor of Social Work Programme in Switzerland: exploring continuing challenges for social work education
Social work programmes are expected to enable students to work adequately with sexual minorities. In Switzerland, however, curricular content on sexual minorities is lacking in BSW programmes. Potential sexual prejudice is not explicitly addressed. This study aimed to assess the attitudes towards lesbian women and gay men amongst students entering the BSW programme of a university in Switzerland to establish a basis for discussing curriculum development. Students entering the programme from 2015 through 2018 were surveyed using an online questionnaire. Heterosexist attitudes were captured using the ‘Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men’. The responding 955 entering students reported positive attitudes towards lesbians and gay men and evidenced low levels of heterosexist views. However, only 4.3 per cent of the respondents consistently disagreed with all items expressing heterosexist views, whilst 43.3 per cent completely agreed with at least one item. The views expressed by male participants expressed significantly higher levels of heterosexism than did those of female participants. The findings evidence uncertainties and a lack of reflection on unquestioned but heteronormative views. This reflects a need to infuse BSW programmes with sexual minority content, to provide opportunities for critical reflection and to address heteronormative and heterosexist views.