Modern Homophobia Scale Research Articles

Variables with a negative impact on the quality of life of gays and lesbians in Spain: evaluation of homophobic and lesbophobic indicators to guide youth education.

Despite the evidence about the negative impact of homophobic and lesbophobic attitudes on the quality of life of these individuals, the World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to report a lack of research and understanding regarding the health of gays and lesbians and LGTB people in general. There is a growing commitment in public health to understand and improve the health and well-being of LGTB people, and it is very important that professionals in social, educational and health care settings are adequately trained and informed to solve the problems that persist in this population. The aim of this study was to identify homophobic and lesbophobic attitudes in a Spanish youth population, analyzing the relationship of these attitudes with sociodemographic, cultural, political and personal variables. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with 325 young people aged 18-30 years. The information was collected through the Modern Homophobia Scale of Raja & Stokes, in which sociodemographic and sociocultural variables were also gathered. The data were analyzed and correlations were estimated. The males showed a more negative attitude toward homosexual people compared to the females. The participants with a higher education level presented more positive attitudes toward homosexual people. Younger people with a heterosexual orientation had more negative attitudes toward homosexual people compared to those with a homosexual orientation. The participants with a stronger right-wing political tendency presented a greater percentage of negative attitudes toward LGTB people. Variables such as education level, sexual orientation and political ideology may have a significant influence on the attitudes toward homosexual men and/or lesbian women. Different results were obtained as a function of sex, thus it is important to consider the gender perspective in future studies that tackle this topic.

Exploring Biphobia Among Heterosexuals and LGBTQ + Individuals in Spain: Psychometric Properties of the Biphobia Scale in a Spanish Sample

Self-reported questionnaires for assessing biphobia have been developed and validated in English-speaking countries. In Spain, despite considerable rates of biphobia, there is a lack of validated instruments to assess this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Biphobia Scale (BS), a useful self-reported measure of biphobia. Four hundred and sixty-six participants from the general population in Spain completed the BS, the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, the Modern Homophobia Scale, and the Internalized Homonegativity Scale. The factorial structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity were analyzed. The results of the factor analysis support a one-factor solution. Cronbach’s alpha and Omega coefficient were .95 and .96, respectively. Evidence of convergent validity was provided, as shown by the significant and positive correlations between biphobia, sexism, homophobia, and internalized homonegativity. The results support the use of the BS in the Spanish population as a valid and reliable measure.

Moral Disengagement Mechanisms and Personality Dimensions Implicit to Homophobia.

Recent advances in sexual equality and diversity have not been able to mitigate the serious problem of discrimination suffered by sexual minorities. The most serious cases involve violence and physical or psychological aggression towards sexual orientations that differ from the heterosexual norm. This research analyses the dimensions of the personality and the moral disengagement mechanisms related to homophobia and the predictive value they have for hostile attitudes towards sexual diversity. The sample was made up of 849 university students between 18 and 24 years of age. The instruments used were the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS), the Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Scale (MMDS), and the reduced version of the Neo Personality Inventory—Reduced Version (NEO-FFI). The results show the involvement of moral disengagement in homophobia. It highlights evidence of subtle intimidatory behaviour patterns of rejection towards homosexuality. Furthermore, the low levels in the dimensions of a friendly personality and openness to experiences can be seen to predict homophobic behaviour. Thus, young people fall back on diverse mechanisms of moral disengagement to justify harmful attitudes towards the LGTBI collective. The results of the research are particularly relevant and useful for setting up programmes aimed at preventing and mitigating this serious problem of sexual discrimination.

Misurare l’omonegatività: validazione italiana della Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men

This work outlines the Italian validation process of the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men, developed by Gato, Fontaine and Carneiro (2012). The tool was administered to a non-probability sample of 960 Italian participants aged between 18 to 88 years and self-identified as heterosexual. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and cross-validation strategy was used. Internal validity was tested by measuring the single item reliability, the composite or construct reliability as well as the convergent and discriminant validity. Although the factorial structure of the original model has been replicated, limits arose in the discriminant validity of the factors. An alternative second-order factorial model is then proposed. This model better fits and protects the discriminant validity. Concurrent validity was confirmed by a positive correlation with the Modern Homophobia Scale Revised (Lingiardi, Falanga, & D’Augelli, 2005). Finally, evidence of the instrument’s construct validity was obtained by correlational and differential analyses, based on several factors related to homophobia, such as sex, age, educational level, religious and political orientation and contact with homosexual people. Results suggest the applicability of the tool in the Italian context, in order to measure homonegativity, as well as its usefulness in comparing traditional and modern aspects of prejudice.

Who has the worst attitudes toward sexual minorities? Comparison of transphobia and homophobia levels in gender dysphoric individuals, the general population and health care providers.

To date, few studies have addressed attitudes toward transgender individuals. In addition, little is known about health care providers' (HCP) attitudes toward sexual minorities. The aim of the present study is to compare attitudes toward homosexual and transgender individuals between gender dysphoric individuals (GDs), general population controls (C) and HCP. A total of 310 subjects were considered, including 122 GDs (63 transwomen and 59 transmen), 53 heterosexual HCP (26 males and 27 females) and 135 C. Participants completed the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS) and the Attitudes Toward Transgendered Individuals Scale (ATTI) in order to assess attitudes toward gay men and lesbian women and toward transgender individuals, respectively. In addition, GDs completed the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (GIDYQ-AA) and ATTI to measure, respectively, gender dysphoria levels and internalized transphobia. Religious attitudes were evaluated by means of the Religious Fundamentalism Scale (RFS), and Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC-12) was used to measure perceived discrimination. (1) Men showed significantly higher levels of homophobia and transphobia when compared to women (p<0.001); (2) perceived discrimination was higher in lesbian women compared to gay men and in transwomen compared to transmen (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively); and (3) religious fundamentalism was associated with both homophobia and transphobia (both p<0.001). Our results underline the need to promote awareness and acceptance of the sexual minorities, who are more at risk of discriminatory attitudes, which are strongly dependent on religious precepts and dogma.

Attitudes towards Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting: Association with Sexism, Homophobia and Internalized Sexual Stigma

Objective: Several researches investigated the attitudes of heterosexuals and LGBT people towards marriage and parenting of lesbians and gays. The objective of the present study is to explore the correlation between these attitudes and levels of sexism, social homophobia and internalized sexual stigma. Design and Method: The participants were 826 (534 F, 292 M), aged between 17 and 70. 59,8% defined him/her-self as “exclusively heterosexual”, 29,2% as “exclusively homosexual” and 11% as “bisexual”. The following tests have been administered: Questionnaire on socio-demographic Information, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory; Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gays; Modern Homophobia Scale, The Katuzny Same-sex Marriage Scale; D’Amore and Green Same-sex Parenting Scale. Results: Positive correlations have been found between: sexism and homophobia (r = .378; p &lt; .01) and sexism and internalized sexual stigma (r = .320; p &lt; .01). Male subjects obtained higher scores in sexism (F(1,559) = 15,555; p &lt; .01) and homophobia (F(1,559) = 44,977; p &lt; .01). Heterosexuals were significantly less favorable regarding gay and lesbian marriage (F(1,821) = 96,936; p &lt; .05) and parenthood (F(1,821) = 84,260; p &lt; .05) compared to the non-heterosexuals. Heterosexual males were the most unfavorable towards parenting (F(1,821) = 4,786; p &lt; .05). Conclusions: The results offer a contribution to scientific research which still has significant gaps regarding the attitude-associated variables towards marriage and parenting of people of the same gender. Sexual education at schools and clinic supervision interventions should take these evidences into account.

Sexologist Training Could Have an Influence on Attitudes Toward LG Marriage And Parenting?

Objective: Negative attitudes towards same-sex families persist among health professionals. This study investigates the influence of educational programs in sexology (EPS) on sexism, homophobia and attitudes of sexologists towards lesbian and gay (LG) marriage and same-sex parenting. Design and Method: Data were collected on 552 subjects (376 F and 134 M); the EPS group was composed by professionals who had attended a training course in accredited schools by Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (FISS). The protocol was computer-based and self-administered (15 minutes to complete). It was composed of: questionnaire for socio-demographic information; Ambivalent Sexism Inventory; Measure of Sexual internalized stigma for Lesbians and Gays; Modern Homophobia Scale; The Katuzny Same-Sex Marriage Scale; D’Amore and Green Same-Sex Parenting Scale. Results: The EPS group reported lower levels of sexism (F(1,401)=4.40, p&lt;.05) and homophobia (F(1,401)=5.15, p &lt;.05), a more positive attitudes toward LG marriage (F(1,545)=7.67, p &lt;.01) and same-sex parenting (F(1,545)=17.34; p&lt;.001). In particular, participants in this group declared more favorable attitudes to specific pathways to parenthood, such as: adoption for homosexual couples, artificial insemination for lesbians, and in vitro fertilization for lesbians. Conclusions: Professionals who got EPS show more positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage and parenting. Having a specific training on these issues appears to be functional to the development of attitudes based on equal rights and not based on heterosexism. These results have important implications in both clinic and social issues related to LGBT health.

HP-03-008 Transphobia and homophobia levels in gender dysphoric individuals, general population and health care providers

To date,few studies have addressed attitudes toward transgender individuals. In addition, little is known about health care providers attitudes toward sexual minorities. The aims of the present study were to compare attitudes toward homosexual and transgender individuals between Gender Dysphoric individuals (GD), healthy controls (HC), and health care providers (HCP). A total of 304 subjects of similar age were considered, including 116 GD (59 transwomen and 57 transmen), 53 heterosexual HCP (26 males and 27 females) and 135 HC. Among the HC group, 38 males (hem-HC) and 40 females (hef-HC) reported exclusive heterosexuality and 28 males (ho-MHC) and 29 females (ho-FHC) homo- or bi-sexuality.Participants completed the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS) and the Attitude Toward Transgendered Individuals Scale (ATTI) to assess attitudes towards gay, lesbians and transgender individuals, respectively. In addition, GD completed Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (GIDYQ-AA) and a reverse form of ATTI to measure respectively GD and internalized transphobia. Religious attitudes were assessed with the Religious Fundamentalism Scale (RFS). Finally, discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC-12) was used to measure perceived discrimination.

Homonegativity in Italy: Cultural Issues, Personality Characteristics, and Demographic Correlates with Negative Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men

This study is an extension of earlier research that investigated the nature of homonegativity among Italian people (Lingiardi et al. 2005). We used the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS), adapted to be more appropriate for the Italian social and cultural context. Associations were examined between homophobic attitudes, demographics, and personality characteristics and contact with lesbians and gay men. Gender issues were considered twice, from the viewpoint of both the agent and the target of the prejudice. The findings indicated that people at higher risk of possessing homonegative attitudes are older; less educated; more involved in religion and politically conservative; characterized by a more conforming, moralistic, and rule-bound personality, according to Cattell’s personality factors; and have poor contact experience with lesbians and gay men. Males tended to have higher levels of homonegativity toward gay men but not toward lesbians. Proposals to reduce antigay bias in the Italian context will be briefly discussed.

Validación de la Escala Moderna de Homofobia en una muestra de adolescentes.

Title: Validation of the Modern Homophobia Scale in a sample of adoles- cents. Abstract: The objective of this paper is both, to analyse the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Modern Homophobia Scale, and to assess the homophobia level of adolescents as well as the association between homophobia and ambivalent sexism. The Modern Homophobia Scale assesses the attitudes toward gay men (MHS-G) and lesbians (MHS-L). The sample was made of 800 Spanish students of Secondary Education (50.7% female and 49.3% male) with ages ranging from 15 to 19 years (mean age = 15.19; SD: .92). Results showed a coherent factorial structure with adequate fit in- dexes. Reliability -alpha over .80- and external validity -the gay and lesbi- ans form were significant correlated with transphobia and sexism. Finally, we observed that the boys expressed significantly more homophobic atti- tudes toward gay men and toward lesbians than girls does. Therefore, this scale is a useful and necessary to detect subtle homophobic attitudes to- ward gays and lesbians. Key-words: Homophobia; validation; adolescents; modern homophobia scale; gay; lesbian.

Conservadurismo político, homofobia y prejuicio hacia grupos transgénero en una muestra de estudiantes y egresados universitarios de Lima

Objective. This study describes and analyzes the relationship between political ideology, the intolerance of ambiguity, homophobia and prejudice against transgender groups in a sample of university students and graduates from the city of Lima (N = 144). Method. A quantitative descriptive-correlational study was carried out. Spanish translated versions of RWA and SDO scales were used. Also were used an adapted version of MSTAT-II (Tolerance of Ambiguity Scale) and a version of the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS) validated for university students in the city of Lima. Results. A direct relationship was found between RWA, SDO, intolerance of ambiguity, homophobia and prejudice against certain transgender groups (transvestites and transsexuals). A multiple linear regression model suggests that RWA and intolerance of ambiguity, combined, could be applicable predictors of homophobic attitudes. Conclusion. Based on the results, it is possible to verify that there is a relationship between psychological variables that express a conservative political ideology and prejudice towards homosexuals and transgender groups, to the extent they could be considered by the most conservative individuals as very ambiguous social stimuli.

Homophobia and Clinical Competency: An Exploration of Couple and Family Therapists’ Beliefs

This study measured couple and family therapists’ levels of homophobia and examined whether levels of homophobia would predict their self-reported competency in treating lesbian and gay (LG) clients. The sample consisted of 741 clinical members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Participants completed the Modern Homophobia Scale and the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale which measured self-reported competency in the areas of knowledge and skills related to treating LG clients. The findings of this study suggest that, on average, these clinical members report low levels of homophobia and participants’ levels of homophobia predict self-reported clinical competency.

Measuring Sexism, Racism, Sexual Prejudice, Ageism, Classism, and Religious Intolerance: The Intolerant Schema Measure

Despite similarities between sexism, racism, sexual prejudice, ageism, classism, and religious intolerance, investigators do not routinely investigate these intolerant beliefs simultaneously. The purpose of this project was to create a brief, psychometrically sound measure of intolerance reflecting these 6 constructs. Data from existing measures (Attitudes Toward Women Scale, Neosexism Scale, Modern and Old‐Fashioned Racism Scale, Modern Homophobia Scale, Frabroni Scale of Ageism, Economic Beliefs Scale, and M‐GRISM) and from items created by the authors were obtained from several college samples to create the Intolerant Schema Measure (ISM). Results support the internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and factor structure of the questionnaire. Expected relationships between measured concepts, social dominance, social desirability, and across key demographic groups support the validity of the instrument.

Co-occurrence of Rape Myth Acceptance, Sexism, Racism, Homophobia, Ageism, Classism, and Religious Intolerance

Rape myth acceptance has been extensively studied. Little research is available, however, on the relationship of this variable to other oppressive belief systems. A sample of 492 male and 506 female college students completed the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (short form), the Neosexism Scale, the Modern and Old Fashioned Racism Scale, the Modern Homophobia Scale, a modified version of the Economic Belief Scale, the Fraboni Scale of Ageism, and the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale (short form). Because there were no existing measures of intolerance toward multiple religions, the Religious Intolerance Scale was developed for this study (using relevant items from the Godfrey Richman Isms Scale). Findings here suggested that greater racism (both modern and old fashioned), sexism (both modern and old fashioned), homophobia (toward both gay men and lesbians), ageism, classism, and religious intolerance were each associated with greater rape myth acceptance. Moreover, each belief system collectively added to the prediction of rape myth acceptance, although sexism has the highest overlap with rape myth acceptance. Although gender did not moderate the relationship between oppressive belief systems and rape myth acceptance, results, across analyses, did indicate that men reported greater rape myth acceptance than women did. Results point to the interrelatedness of rape myth acceptance, racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ageism, and religious intolerance.

The Evaluation of Homophobia in an Italian Sample

Homophobia has not been systematically studied by Italian social scientists. This study was an initial investigation of the nature of homophobia among Italians, using an Italian version of a scale measuring the construct, and investigated personality and other factors related to homophobia. We examined (1) whether a male military personnel group had more homophobic attitudes than a group of comparably aged male university students; (2) whether personal characteristics and personality factors were correlated with homophobia; and (3) whether there were gender differences in homophobia between male and female university students. Male officers of the Italian Marine Corps were compared to male university students of the same age with respect to homophobia and personality characteristics. In addition, a sample of male university students was compared to female students. The instruments used were the Italian versions of the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS) and the 16 Personality Factor Inventory (16 PF). Results showed significantly higher homophobia among the military personnel than among male students. Consistent with previous research, male university students demonstrated more negative attitudes towards gay and lesbian people than female students.

Assessing Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men: The Modern Homophobia Scale

The authors developed the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS), a scale that includes measures of attitudes toward lesbians (MHS-L) and attitudes toward gay men (MHS-G). An initial pool of 97 items was generated by the authors based on a review of the literature on homophobia and feedback from several focus groups. Responses to the initial pool of items were factor analyzed. The final versions of the MHS-L and the MHS-G included items reflecting the following factors: Personal Discomfort with lesbians/gay men, Institutional Homophobia toward lesbians/gay men, and the Deviance/Changeability of female/male homosexuality. Although the Personal Discomfort, Institutional, and Deviance/Changeability factors were separable, they were highly correlated and showed little evidence of divergent validity. Reactions to gay, lesbian, and heterosexual characters in written vignettes provided initial support for the validity of the MHS. Both the MHS-L and MHS-G were significantly correlated with the Index of Homophobia and the Attitudes Toward Women Scale. A greater degree of homophobia on the MHS-L and MHS-G was associated with a greater degree of socially desirable responding as measured by the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding. Lower levels of homophobia on the MHS-L and MHS-G were associated with having lesbian and gay acquaintances and friends. On the MHS-L, men and women did not differ in their overall level of homophobia toward lesbians, but significant gender differences on MHS-L factor scores were present. Compared to men, women were more supportive of gay men on all three factors of the MHS-G.