Parasocial Relationship and Reduction of Intergroup Prejudice against the Chinese LGBT Community: Intergroup Anxiety and Direct Contact

Abstract

ABSTRACT Guided by intergroup contact theory, this survey study investigated whether the formation of pseudo-socioemotional ties with well-known LGBT media personas in China (i.e., parasocial relationships) could reduce cisgender heterosexual Chinese participants’ anxiety toward and prejudice against the LGBT community. Results indicated a significant indirect effect of parasocial relationship with LGBT media personas on prejudice against this community through intergroup anxiety: the parasocial relationship was negatively associated with intergroup anxiety, which was consequently associated with less prejudice. Moreover, results indicated the direct effect of parasocial relationships with LGBT media personas on prejudice was moderated by participants’ direct contact with LGBT members: parasocial relationships reduced prejudice only for those who had more direct contact with LGBT individuals. These findings add nuances and create boundary conditions to intergroup contact theory and bear significant practical implications for the Chinese LGBT community.