Effectiveness of an LGBTQ+ E-Learning Module for Social Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Jason Schaub*, Jolie R. Keemink, Willem J. Stander, Paul Montgomery

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-learning training module for improving children's social workers’ knowledge of, and attitudes toward, LGBTQ+ young people.

Methods: A pragmatic randomized, CONSORT-compliant controlled trial to compare an intervention group (N = 304) with a business-as-usual comparison group (N = 310). After attrition, the analysis included 188 (intervention) and 278 (comparison) participants. The main outcome measures were the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and a perceived LGBTQ+ knowledge measure, controlling for several covariates.

Results: A significant effect of intervention on both outcome measures, using several rigorous analysis approaches and missing data imputation methods. Participants who undertook the training decreased their heteronormative attitudes and beliefs and increased their perceived LGBTQ+ knowledge compared to business as usual.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an e-learning training intervention in improving knowledge of, and attitudes toward, LGBTQ+ young people. Implications for research, practice, and policy are outlined.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalResearch on Social Work Practice
Early online date23 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding:
The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Our work was funded by What Works for Children's Social Care. The views expressed here are those of the authors and not necessarily those of What Works for Children's Social Care or the Department for Education (England; grant number 1001929). We are most grateful to all the social workers who participated in this study, as well as our young advisor's committee and stakeholders for their input and feedback.

Keywords

  • LGBTQ
  • young people
  • social work
  • e-learning
  • randomized controlled trial

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