TY  - JOUR
AU  - Latu, Ioana
AU  - Sălăgean, Nastasia
AU  - Larsen, Torill M B
AU  - Isbasoiu, Andreea Bogdana
AU  - Sava, Florin Alin
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/4/23
TI  - Testing the Effectiveness of an Intervention to Improve Romanian Teachers’ LGBT+-Related Attitudes, Cognitions, Behaviors, and Affect: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
JO  - JMIR Res Protoc
SP  - e54254
VL  - 13
KW  - discrimination
KW  - intervention
KW  - school
KW  - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
KW  - attitude
KW  - behavior
KW  - cognition
KW  - stigma
KW  - stigmatization
KW  - negative impact
KW  - physical health
KW  - mental health
KW  - minority stress model
KW  - European
KW  - Europe
KW  - Romania
KW  - stress
KW  - young
KW  - student
KW  - students
KW  - undergraduate
KW  - bias
KW  - data analysis
KW  - online intervention
KW  - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender stigma
KW  - sentiment
AB  - Background: Repeated stigmatization due to group membership constitutes a recurrent stressor with negative impact on physical and mental health (minority stress model). Among European countries, Romania ranks low on LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The “+” represents individuals whose identities do not fit typical binary notions of male and female [nonbinary]) inclusion, with 45% of Romanian LGBT+ respondents reporting discrimination in at least 1 area of life in the year preceding the survey. Importantly, while all LGBT+ people might experience minority stress, younger sexual minority individuals are more prone to the detrimental impacts of stigma on their mental and physical health. As such, interventions are necessary to improve the inclusion climate within schools, where young people spend most of their time. Until now, most interventions addressing this topic have been conducted on undergraduate students in Western countries, with no studies conducted in countries that have widespread anti-LGBT+ attitudes. Objective: This paper describes the research protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating whether LGBT+ stigma and bias among Romanian school teachers can be reduced using an internet-based intervention focusing on education and contact as primary training elements. Methods: A sample of 175 school teachers will be randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. The experimental group participants will receive the intervention first and then complete the outcome measures, whereas the control group will complete the outcome measures first and then receive the intervention. The 1-hour multimedia intervention is developed for internet-based delivery under controlled conditions. It includes 2 interactive exercises, 2 recorded presentations, animations, and testimonies from LGBT+ individuals. Data for attitudinal, behavioral, cognitive, and affective measures will be collected during the same session (before or after the intervention, depending on the condition). We also plan to conduct a brief mixed methods follow-up study at 6 to 8 months post participation to investigate potential long-term effects of training. However, due to attrition and lack of experimental control (all participants will have completed the intervention, regardless of the condition), these data will be analyzed and reported separately using a mixed methods approach. Results: This paper details the protocol for the teacher intervention study. Data collection began in December 2022 and was completed by February 2023. Data analysis will be performed upon protocol acceptance. Follow-up measures will be completed in 2024. Results are expected to be submitted for publication following analysis in the spring of 2024. Conclusions: The findings of this study will establish the effectiveness of an internet-based intervention intended to lessen anti-LGBT stigma and sentiment in a nation where these views have long been prevalent. If successful, the intervention could end up serving as a resource for Romanian teachers and guidance counselors in high schools. Trial Registration: ISRCTN 84290049; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN84290049 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/54254 
SN  - 1929-0748
UR  - https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e54254
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/54254
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38652533
DO  - 10.2196/54254
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/54254
ER  -