Dehumanization and attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals among primary healthcare nurses: The role of personality traits and LGBTQ health knowledge.

OBJECTIVE

Aim: This study investigates dehumanization and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals among primary healthcare nurses in Greece, exploring the influence of personality traits, empathy, and LGBTQ+ health knowledge.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 114 public-sector primary healthcare nurses completing self-report questionnaires between July and October 2023. Instruments included a culturally adapted dehumanization scale, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's correlations, and linear regression.

RESULTS

Results: The sample was predominantly female (74.6%), heterosexual (93.9%), and Christian Orthodox (93%). Only 8.8% had attended LGBTQ+ healthcare courses, and 33.3% had cared for LGBTQ+ patients. Mechanistic dehumanization showed limited associations with personality traits, while animalistic dehumanization was negatively correlated with willingness to care (r = -0.441, p < 0.001) and comfort with LGBTQ+ care (r = -0.391, p < 0.001). Empathy and openness to experience influenced attitudes and willingness to care. Higher empathy unexpectedly reduced willingness to care, while emotional stability and conscientiousness predicted dehumanization.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Findings highlight a moderate dehumanization trend among nurses, affecting LGBTQ+ patients' care quality. Educational initiatives targeting LGBTQ+ health knowledge, empathy training, and the influence of personality traits are critical to fostering inclusive care and reducing dehumanization in healthcare settings.