Correlates of internalized homophobia and homosexual identity formation in a sample of gay men

C. Rowen, J. Malcolm

Eighty-six behaviourally homosexual men, at various stages of homosexual identity formation (HIF), were participants in a study that examined correlates of internalized homophobia (IH) and HIF. Results indicated higher levels of internalized homophobia were correlated with lower stages of HIF. In addition, internalized homophobia was significantly related to lower levels of self-esteem, and to lower levels of self-concepts of physical appearance and emotional stability, and to higher levels of sex guilt. Post hoc regression analysis revealed that perceived level of repression against homosexuals predicted internalized homophobia and sex-guilt, which were mediator variables to the resolution of HIF. This research supports theory that which suggests internalized homophobia is a major developmental difficulty in gay men.KEYWORDS. Homosexuality, internalized homophobia, homosexual identity formation, self-esteem, sex guilt, self-concept, sexual orientation, gay identitydevelopment, sexual identity[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]