Feminist attitudes and coping resources as correlates of lesbian internalized heterosexism

D. Szymanski, Y. Chung

This study examined how internalized heterosexism is related to feminist attitudes and coping resources in a sample of 210 female participants living in the United States. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire and measures assessing lesbian internalized heterosexism, self-identification as feminist, attitudes towards feminism, involvement in feminist activities, and coping resources. Results indicated that internalized heterosexism correlated moderately with each of the feminist variables and had a low correlation with coping resources. Hierarchical regression analysis, controlling for age and income, identified attitudes toward feminism, involvement in feminist activities, and coping resources as unique predictors of internalized heterosexism, accounting for 31 percent of the variance. Research and practice implications are discussed.