Educating for Change: Social Work Students’ Views on LGBTQ+ in Turkey

Purpose: This study aims to identify the factors influencing social work students’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men in Turkey and to understand how social work education shapes these attitudes. Methods: The research utilized a longitudinal prospective cohort study design, following the same sample of social work undergraduates in Turkey, consisting of 18 participants observed in 2012, 2015, and 2023. Building on an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data was collected first using the Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale and then followed up with a qualitative phase consisting of four semistructured in-depth interviews conducted in 2023. Results: The findings revealed a positive attitudinal change over time and the importance of social work education in fostering this progression. Discussion: This research emphasizes the significance of the learning environment in promoting positive attitude shifts toward homosexuals and the need for ongoing professional development and support for social workers.