A psychometric evaluation of the homonegative microaggressions scale

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study adds to the growing body of research on sexual minorities by offering insight into how more subtle forms of discrimination affect their victims via the use of a new measure called the Homonegative Microaggressions Scale (HMS). The objectives of this study were to explore the factor structure of the HMS, to verify this structure with a second sample, and to test its criterion-related validity by correlating with an identity measure, the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS). Two samples of participants, all of whom were 18 or older, completed the HMS in addition to other measures. The first sample consisted of 120 participants and was 44% female, with 55% identifying as gay men, 34% as lesbian, and 12% as bisexual, while the 302 participants making up the second sample was 45% female, with 41% identifying as bisexual, 39% as gay men, and 20% as lesbian. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from the first sample of participants resulting in a four-factor model indicative of specific themes of microaggressions found within the HMS. A confirmatory factor analysis used on data from the second sample of participants verified these findings, revealing four distinct themes of homonegative microaggressions: Assumed Deviance, Second-Class Citizen, Assumptions of Gay Culture, and Stereotypical Knowledge and Behavior. The findings from this study indicated a solid factor structure and evidence for criterion-related validity for the HMS.