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Sexuality Research and Social Policy

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03-02-2022

“Pattern Matters”: a Latent Class Analysis of Internet Use and Users’ Attitudes Toward Homosexuality in China

Authors: Zurong Liang, Yu-Te Huang, Yu-Chih Chen, Lik Sam Chan

Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy | Issue 4/2022

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Abstract

Introduction

Studies have identified an association between Internet use frequency and users’ attitudes toward homosexuality. According to the uses and gratifications perspective, users are diverse in their needs and expectations for using mass media and communication technologies and such diversity might also be involved in their attitudes toward sexual minority people. However, limited research has been conducted to examine this association. This study aimed to develop a typology to illustrate distinct patterns of Internet use patterns and to examine the variation in attitudes towards homosexuality as a function of Internet use patterns.

Methods

By using a subsample (n = 1021) aged 18–37 years from the Chinese General Social Survey collected in 2017, we performed latent class analysis to identify distinct subgroups of online activity engagement. Multiple ordered logistic regression was used to explore the relationships between the profiles of Internet use and attitudes toward homosexuality.

Results

The latent class analysis yielded a typology which classified the Internet users into active participators, pragmatic users, entertainment users, and idle users. Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and confounding factors as well as weekly hours spent on the Internet, the multivariate analyses indicated that idle users were less likely to accept homosexuality than active participators and pragmatic users were.

Conclusions

This study suggests that Internet users’ attitudes toward homosexuality is associated with not only their frequency of Internet use but also their patterns of engagement in online activities. These findings add to the knowledge about the drivers of societal attitudes toward homosexuality and can inform policies to promote inclusion and diversity.

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Title: “Pattern Matters”: a Latent Class Analysis of Internet Use and Users’ Attitudes Toward Homosexuality in China
Authors: Zurong Liang
Yu-Te Huang
Yu-Chih Chen
Lik Sam Chan
Publication date: 03-02-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1868-9884
Electronic ISSN: 1553-6610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00680-w

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