Relationship of Aggression, Attachment Styles, and Personality Traits with Homophobia in Medical Students

Abstract Background: Homophobia and psychological constructs such as aggression, attachment styles, and personality traits are closely related. Understanding these relationships in a medical field setting is crucial, given the demanding environment and the role of medical students as future healthcare providers. Aim: To investigate the interplay of aggression, attachment styles, and personality traits with homophobia among medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 medical students at a tertiary healthcare hospital between December 2023 and December 2024. Rating scales such as the Homophobia scale, Aggression Questionnaire, Relationships Questionnaire, and Big Five Inventory were applied to ascertain the levels of homophobia, severity of aggression, attachment styles, and personality traits, respectively. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney U -test, and the Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance. Results: The study on medical students revealed significant gender differences: females reported higher homophobia and neuroticism, while males showed higher physical aggression ( P < 0.0001 for all). Regression analysis indicated that higher openness ( P = 0.002) and agreeableness ( P = 0.006) predicted higher homophobia. Verbal aggression significantly predicted higher homophobia ( P = 0.005), but physical aggression did not ( P = 0.039). No correlation was found between attachment styles and homophobia. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex interplay of psychological factors in shaping homophobic attitudes among medical students. Female medical students exhibited higher levels of homophobia compared to their male counterparts. Both openness and agreeableness predicted low homophobia. Verbal aggression emerged as a significant predictor of higher homophobia scores.