Do Sexual Orientation Myths Influence Caring Behaviors Among Nurses and Nursing Students? A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexua + individuals continue to face disparities in health care, which have been associated with sexual orientation-related prejudices and limited cultural competence among health care professionals. Insufficient integration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexua+ content in nursing education may further contribute to challenges in providing equitable and inclusive care. This research examined how sexual orientation beliefs effect the care practices of nurses in care, education, and counseling services and nursing students. A descriptive cross-sectional research included 321 nursing students at 2 state institutions and 120 nurses at a public hospital. The “Descriptive Information Form, ” “Sexual Orientation Myths Scale, ” and “Caring Behaviors Scale-24” were completed in person by participants. It followed the descriptive research Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. The research found that high societal perception of sexual orientation myths impacted patient care certainty, knowledge, abilities, dedication, and respectfulness. Sexual Orientation Myths Scale illness perception, etiology, sexual behavior, and social perception sub-scores were considerably higher in nursing students compared with nurses, but Care Behaviors Scale-24 knowledge and competence sub-dimensions were lower (P < .01). These results imply that nurses’ and nursing students’ sexual orientation myths affect their caring behavior and emphasize the need for safe and confidential sexual orientation health policies and education. Copyright © 2026 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.