Factors Associated with Transphobia: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

Our study examined factors associated with transphobia with a particular focus on the interrelations between religious fundamentalism and contact to impact transphobia. We used an online sample of U.S. adults (Mean age = 38.91 years, SD = 12.58 years; n = 400) to conduct a partially latent variable SEM analysis and tested the direct effects of religious fundamentalism, contact, and gender on transphobia and the indirect effects of religious fundamentalism on transphobia through contact. We additionally tested for gender differences in the structural relations of the variables through a multi-group analysis. Results showed a statistically significant effect of religious fundamentalism, contact, and gender on transphobia. Religious fundamentalism also had a statistically significant indirect effect on transphobia through contact. Gender differences were also found for the effects of religious fundamentalism on contact and on transphobia. We conclude with implications for research and practice.