Objective: This study aimed to determine the psychosocial factors
that may influence attitudes toward sexual orientation among medical
students and to explore the relationship between attitudes regarding
gender roles, sexual myths, and homophobia.
Method: A total of 457 medical students from Çanakkale Onsekiz
Mart University in Turkiye were included in the study during the 2022-
2023 academic year. Participants received the Sociodemographic Data
Form, Hudson & Ricketts Homophobia Scale, Sexual Myths Scale, and
Gender Role Attitudes Scale.
Results: Homophobia scores were found to be lower among fifth- and
sixth-grade medical students compared to first-year students. Lower
rates of homophobia were observed in students receiving psychiatric
treatment and those who identify as secular. Hierarchical regression
analysis revealed a positive correlation between sexual myths and
homophobia, and a negative correlation between gender role attitudes
and homophobia. Predictors of homophobia include right-wing
political orientation, conservatism, a high belief in sexual myths, and
non-egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles. Finally, a mediation
analysis demonstrated that attitudes toward gender roles serve as a
partial mediating variable in the relationship between sexual myths and
homophobia.
Conclusion: The findings of our study highlight the significance of
psychosocial and cultural factors in shaping attitudes toward sexual
orientation and the need for accurate and comprehensive sexuality
education in the medical curriculum. It is expected that thorough and
equitable education will mitigate the stress associated with homophobia.
Keywords: Gender role, homosexuality, medical student, mental
health, sex education