Development of an Attitudes Scale Toward LGBT People: Evidence From Japanese University Students

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a scale of Japanese university students' attitudes toward LGBT people and to explore ways to reduce LGBTphobia among university students by deepening understanding of LGBT people. A total of 201 students from a Japanese university were recruited to answer a questionnaire about attitudes toward LGBT people (men: 148, women: 49, mean age = 20.3 years old, SD = 1.467). Although the sample size was modest, it was considered sufficient for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) based on established methodological guidelines. A new measurement with 24 items under four factors, explaining 50.874% of the variance, was developed and validated using EFA. Factor loadings ranged from 0.433 to 0.819. The factors were named “Social acceptance,” “Psychological distance,” “Emotion,” and “Prejudice.” All four factors were positively correlated with each other, indicating internal consistency within the construct. The inclusion of LGBT‐related content in higher education—embedded within relevant curricular contexts—can be approached through these four dimensions. The findings may help reduce LGBTphobia among university students and foster a society that is more open and inclusive toward diversity.