Beyond the colours of the rainbow : social workers' feelings, beliefs and attitudes towards homosexuality and bisexuality

Abstract

The dissertation set out to explore the feelings, beliefs and attitudes of social workers in the field of mental health and substance abuse towards homosexuality and bisexuality in the Maltese islands. This exploration was done through the use of a self-administered questionnaire and a focus group meeting for each of the two sectors. The results were then analysed using the Riddle Scale of homophobia (as cited in Wall 1995). This scale consists of eight levels of feelings, beliefs and attitudes. The first four levels are considered as negative while the remaining four are considered as positive levels. The study shows that only the minority of the respondents' feelings, beliefs and attitudes fall under the negative part of the level of homophobia. The majority of the participants showed willingness to achieve the top level of the positive part of the scale. The latter suggests that the majority of social workers are not only willing to hold positive feelings, beliefs and attitudes to improve their practice but are also willing to advocate for rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. To be able to achieve the top level the social workers need further training in this area. Several recommendations for training are made in the final part of this research study.