Measuring Gender Role Conflict, Internalized Stigma, and Racial and Sexual Identity in Behaviorally Bisexual Black Men

Homero E Del Pino,Jason Mcculler,Martin Lee,Nina T Harawa,Ron D Hays,W Neil Steers

doi:10.1007/s10508-021-01925-w

Abstract

Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW) experience pressure to fill hypermasculine ideals and may not identify with “gay” cultural norms. Existing measures of gender role expectations and internalized homophobia are not culturally appropriate for BMSMW. Researchers generally measure categorical identification with race, gender, and sexual orientation groups separately, whereas BMSMW may identify with multiple categories. We modified the Gender Role Conflict Scale to create the M-GRCS and the Internalized Homophobia Scale to include biphobia (Internalized Bi/Homophobia Scale, IBHS). To examine identification at the intersection of race, gender, and sexual orientation, we created 11 Integrated Race and Sexuality Scale (IRSS) items. With data from 429 BMSMW, we conducted exploratory factor analysis of the 59 items using categorical principal axis factoring with unweighted least squares extraction and Promax factor rotation. We created simple-summated multi-item scales and evaluated their construct validity. The rotated solution yielded four factors with 47 items and a simple factor structure: M-GRCS defined two factors (α = .93 for restricted emotionality/affection; .87 for success/power/competition); the IBHS (α = .89) and IRSS (α = .74) each defined a single factor. The IRSS factor was positively correlated with the Lukwago Racial Pride Scale, r(417) = .40. The IBHS factor was negatively correlated with the IRSS factor, r(414) = − .22. The two M-GRCS factors suggest that the construct of hypermasculinity impacts BMSMW. The high IBHS reliability indicates that homophobia and biphobia were positively correlated in this sample. These three scales have potential for future studies with BMSMW.

Highlights

Gender role conflict, hypermasculinity, and internalized homophobia have negative effects on the health-related risk behaviors and healthcare engagement of Black men in the U.S who have sex with both men and women (BMSMW).Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Charles R
We selected from the literature those measures that most closely captured these latent constructs and that had been evaluated with and shown validity in samples of Black adults in the U.S we reviewed the measures with a community advisory board comprised of Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and MSMW and with community partners who had extensive experience serving these two subgroups
We found that internalized bi/homophobia was associated with a decreased likelihood of disclosure to multiple types of individuals in the men’s social network, to their healthcare providers, and to their female sex partners

Summary

Introduction

Hypermasculinity, and internalized homophobia have negative effects on the health-related risk behaviors and healthcare engagement of Black men in the U.S who have sex with both men and women (BMSMW). Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Hypermasculinity, an exaggeration of traditional masculine traits, stresses physical strength, aggression, dominance, and sexual prowess, and a man lacking these characteristics is considered weak and feminine (LaPollo, Bond, & Lauby, 2014; Ward, 2005). In a study of men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) (n = 281, Black, 64%, and white, 36%), LaPollo et al (2014) found hypermasculine ideals to be associated with income, ever being in jail, feeling that it is “very important” to keep MSM behavior secret, and greater internalized homophobia.

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Conclusion