Graduation Term

2022

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Psychology: School Psychology

Committee Chair

Steven E Landau

Committee Member

Daniel G Lannin

Abstract

In the past several years, hundreds of legislative bills introduced across the U.S. have targeted transgender persons, including restricting bathroom use to one’s natal sex (Dey & Harper, 2022; Samar, 2016). Few studies have examined the public’s perceptions of transgender persons in schools accessing bathrooms that align with gender identity, rather than natal sex. This study focused on how three conservative, prejudicial political ideologies (i.e., Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation, Need for Closure; see Jost et al., 2003) influenced the responding of parents of school-aged children when presented with a scenario regarding a hypothetical transgender woman P.E. teacher accessing the girls’ locker room and restroom in the school. Results indicated that all three of these prejudicial ideologies were in some way linked to anti-transgender prejudice in school settings regarding the equal bathroom access debate. Of note, those mothers and fathers stronger in both Right-wing Authoritarianism and Need for Closure reported greater likelihoods that the policy proposed in the vignette would lead to a cascade of adverse outcomes (i.e., increase in bullying and sexual assault in school bathrooms). Implications for school systems and reducing transgender prejudice are discussed.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2023.20230711063202403316.999956

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