Measurement and correlates of internalized homophobia: a factor analytic study. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Measurement and correlates of internalized homophobia: a factor analytic study.

J Clin Psychol. 1996 Jan;52(1):15-21. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96234731
Ross MW; Rosser BR; Center for Health Education Research and Development, School of; Public Health, University of Texas, Houston 77225, USA.

Abstract: We developed a scale to measure internalized homophobia in men who have sex with men, which is comprised of items derived from theoretical and clinical reports of internalized homophobia. Two hundred two men who have sex with men and who attend Man to Man sexual health seminars in a midwestern U.S. city completed the scale at baseline. Orthogonal factor analysis revealed four dimensions of internalized homophobia: public identification as gay, perception of stigma associated with being homosexual, social comfort with gay men, and the moral and religious acceptability of being gay. Factor scoring of these dimensions indicated that they were associated significantly with relationship satisfaction, duration of longest relationship, extent of attraction to men and women, proportion of social time with gay people, membership of gay/bisexual groups, HIV serostatus, and disclosure of sexual orientation. Internalized homophobia is measurable and consists of four dimensions that are associated significantly with low disclosure, shorter length of and satisfaction with relationships, lower degree of sexual attraction to men and higher degree of attraction to women, and lower social time with gay people.
Keywords: Adult Gender Identity Homosexuality, Male/*PSYCHOLOGY Human HIV Seropositivity/PSYCHOLOGY *Internal-External Control Male Personality Inventory/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA Phobic Disorders/*DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY *Prejudice Self Disclosure Social Identification Stereotyping Support, Non-U.S. Gov't JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDadultgenderidentityhomosexuality,male/KWDpsychologyhumanhivseropositivity/psychologyKWDinternal-externalcontrolmalepersonalityinventory/KWDstatistics&numerdataphobicdisorders/KWDdiagnosis/psychologyKWDprejudiceselfdisclosuresocialidentificationstereotypingsupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tjournalarticle
961030
M96A0608

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