Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men (MISS-LG) in Taiwan: Psychometric Evidence from Rasch and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Cheng-Fang Yen,Tzu-Tung Tsai,Chung-Ying Lin,Yu-Te Huang,Marc N Potenza,Hector W H Tsang

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413352

Abstract

Internalized sexual stigma may hamper the development of self-identity, social interaction, and intimate relationship in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men (MISS-LG) is an important instrument assessing internalized sexual stigma for LGB individuals. However, its psychometric properties have not been examined in LGB populations outside the Italian community. The present study used advanced psychometric testing to evaluate the traditional Chinese version (the MISS-LG) among LGB individuals in Taiwan. LGB individuals (500 male, 500 female) participated in this study and completed the MISS-LG, HIV and Homosexuality Related Stigma (HHRS), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ). Confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the three-factor structure of the MISS-LG; however, two items for males and one item for females had somewhat low factor loadings on the sexuality factor. Each MISS-LG factor was found to be unidimensional in Rasch results, except for the slight misfit in Item 3 and concurrent validity of the MISS-LG was supported by the positive correlations with HHRS and the AAQ. The Chinese MISS-LG has relatively satisfactory psychometric properties. However, further research is needed to investigate the reasons for problematic fitting of several items.

Highlights

A wide range of social stigma derived from heterosexism toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals prevails worldwide [1]
LGB individuals with high internalized sexual stigma may avoid disclosing their sexual orientation to others [12] to protect themselves from harm [13]; it may damage LGB individuals’ relationship well-being [14] and reduce social support
Research has found that internalized sexual stigma was associated with practicing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at-risk sexual behaviors, such as condomless sex, multiple sex partners, and unprotected anal sex among gay men [12,15,17]

Summary

Introduction

A wide range of social stigma derived from heterosexism toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals prevails worldwide [1]. LGB individuals with high internalized sexual stigma may avoid disclosing their sexual orientation to others [12] to protect themselves from harm [13]; it may damage LGB individuals’ relationship well-being [14] and reduce social support. LGB individuals may use alcohol and addictive substance use to cope with the stress-related to internalized sexual stigma [15,16]. Research has found that internalized sexual stigma was associated with practicing HIV at-risk sexual behaviors, such as condomless sex, multiple sex partners, and unprotected anal sex among gay men [12,15,17]. Internalized sexual stigma may deter the LGB individuals from seeking medical services. A previous study on Chinese men who have sex with men indicated that internalized homophobia was a major barrier to accessing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and care services [18]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion