Predictors of heteronormativity in residential aged care facilities

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to examine the factors influencing heteronormativity (the implicit assumption that a heterosexual orientation is the normative one), and heterosexism (prejudice against non‐heterosexual people) among the staff of residential aged care facilities. Methods: One hundred and fourteen staff from 13 facilities in Adelaide completed a questionnaire measuring exposure to non‐heterosexual people, factual knowledge, heterosexism, heteronormativity, and type of training they had received. Results: As well as significant direct relationships between heterosexism, heteronormativity and other variables, the results indicated that lack of knowledge also affected heteronormativity through its indirect effect on heterosexism. Conclusion: Exposure to non‐heterosexual people, accurate knowledge and challenging heterosexism are needed to reduce heteronormativity in staff of residential aged care facilities.