Role of mental health in the attitude toward same-sex marriage among people in Taiwan: Moderating effects of gender, age, and sexual orientation

Yu Te Huang, Mu Hong Chen, Huei Fan Hu, Nai Ying Ko, Cheng Fang Yen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of the study were to examine the role of mental health in peoples’ attitude toward same-sex marriage in Taiwan, as well as the moderating effects of gender, age, and sexual orientation on the association between mental health and attitude toward same-sex marriage. Methods: In total, 3235 participants were recruited through a Facebook advertisement. Each participant completed a questionnaire assessing attitude toward same-sex marriage and a 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5). Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between mental health and attitude toward same-sex marriage. Results: Poor mental health was significantly associated with a low level of support for same-sex marriage. Age and sexual orientation moderated the association between mental health state and support for same-sex marriage. A significant association between poor mental health and a low level of support for same-sex marriage was observed only in older participants but not in younger participants. Moreover, a significant association between poor mental health and a low level of support for same-sex marriage was indicated only in heterosexual participants but not in non-heterosexual participants. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that poor mental health was significantly associated with opposition to same-sex marriage. This relationship is more pronounced among older and heterosexual people.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)150-156
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Formosan Medical Association
Volume119
Issue number1P1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Jan

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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