Training, experience, and attitudes of VA psychologists regarding LGBT issues: Relation to practice and competence.

Abstract

Determine the (a) training, experience, and attitudes and (b) current practices and self-reported competence of a nationwide sample of Veterans Health Administration clinical psychologists; and (c) whether these vary by region and age. An anonymous online survey was distributed via email link to 2,294 Veterans Administration psychologists that had 52 quantitative questions (categories: demographic, training, experience, current practice, self-reported competence, attitudes/knowledge, and need/interest for training) and yielded 384 respondents. We separated participants into younger and older groups as well as regional groups (more progressive vs. more conservative). Analyses were descriptive, correlational, and tests of mean differences. Overall, psychologists had minimal training in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity and limited experience delivering services to these populations. As a group, older psychologists had less graduate training in issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Younger psychologists had more LGBT-affirmative attitudes, though less lifetime training. Progressive regions had more LGBT-affirmative attitudes, more sexual orientation training, and were more interested in further training. Training in areas of sexual orientation and gender identity during graduate school correlated significantly with later practice. Self-rated competence was not aligned with levels of training and experience. Additional training is indicated and should be tailored to regional needs. Graduate school/internship may be a training opportunity that has a lifetime practice impact. More research is needed to understand the relationship of self-rated competence to training and experience and how to better align these variables.

Psychometric analysis of the short version of attitudes toward lesbians and gay men scale (ATLG-S)

“…Studies suggest that negative attitudes and discriminatory behaviours against sexual minorities are frequent even among professionals who work in helping professions like medicine, psychological counselling or social work. High levels of homophobia have been documented among physicians, nurses dentists and social workers in different countries (Barsky & Singleton, 2011;Cohen, Romberg, & Grace, 2005;Jones, 2000;Martinez Barsky, & Singleton, 2011;Kemper & Reynaga, 2015;Smith & Mathew, 2007;Swank & Raiz, 2007;Yen, et al, 2007), albeit predominantly in those societies that endorse more conservative values (Röndahl, Innala, & Carlson, 2004;Johnson, & Federman, 2014;Weber & Gredig, 2018).…”

Australian mental health professionals’ competencies for working with trans clients: a comparative study

“…These existing studies suggest that mental health professionals and students are less informed of trans issues than they are of lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues (Johnson & Federman, 2014), and displayed higher levels of discriminatory attitudes toward trans and bisexual populations than toward lesbian or gay populations (Logie, Bridge, & Bridge, 2007). Participants in previous research widely report having had little or no university training about working with trans people, with one study finding that 83.6% had experienced only a single class or lesson (Johnson & Federman, 2014), and another study arguing that counsellor programs do not adequately equip students for working with trans clients (O'Hara, Dispenza, Brack & Blood, 2013).…”

“…Participants in previous research widely report having had little or no university training about working with trans people, with one study finding that 83.6% had experienced only a single class or lesson (Johnson & Federman, 2014), and another study arguing that counsellor programs do not adequately equip students for working with trans clients (O'Hara, Dispenza, Brack & Blood, 2013).…”

“…In terms of competencies, one study of clinical psychologists found that only 6.6% of respondents strongly agreed that they felt competent to work eith trans clients (Johnson & Federman, 2014). Competency scores amongst a counselling student sample were positively related to knowing someone who was trans and being exposed to gender diversity and trans issues (O'Hara, Dispenza, Brack & Blood, 2013).…”

“…Included in this diversity are a survey of 87 counselling students focused on preparedness for working with trans people (O'Hara, Dispenza, Brack & Blood, 2013), a survey of 384 clinical psychologists in regards to their competencies for working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (Johnson & Federman, 2014), and a survey of 173 Master of Social Work students examining phobias, attitudes, and competence in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations (Logie, Bridge & Bridge, 2007).…”