| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to examine whether attitudes about gay‐related name‐calling, social norms concerning gay‐related name‐calling among co‐students, teacher intervention, and school‐related support would predict whether secondary school pupils had called another pupil a gay‐related name during the last month. A total of 921 ninth‐grade pupils (aged 14 to 15 years) at 15 lower secondary schools from two regions in Norway participated in the study by filling out a questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis revealed that having a negative attitude toward calling someone gay‐related names was negatively associated with having called a pupil gay‐related names in the last month. However, having heard a pupil call another pupil gay‐related names at school was the variable that most powerfully predicted this behavior. These findings give certain grounds for optimism regarding the prevention of gay‐related name‐calling and indicate that preventive measures aimed at students’ awareness would probably make a difference. |
