The relationship of internalized homonegativity to sexual health and well-being among men in 38 European countries who have sex with men
Loading...
Authors
Berg, Rigmor C.
Weatherburn, Peter
Ross, Michael W.
Schmidt, Axel J.
Issue Date
2015-04-20
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Health-Care Needs , HIV , Mental Health , Internalized Homonegativity
Alternative Title
Abstract
The objective of this article is to examine internalized homonegativity (IH) in relation to aspects of well-being and several measures of clinical importance among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in 38 countries. The data were collected as part of the EMIS project. The multivariable regression analysis identified independent associations with IH for nongay identity, younger age, being closeted, limited gay social affiliation, and sexual unhappiness. IH was also positively associated with loneliness, inability to decline unwanted sex, and being less knowledgeable about HIV and HIV testing. These results provide evidence that homonegative internalization merits consideration as a predisposing factor in several aspects of ill health. There are also several clinical implications of this project, including: (1) Treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons should address gay self-acceptance, as internalized homonegativity seems to be a predisposing factor in several aspects of ill health among this population, and (2) therapy that is used to help LGB persons accept and integrate a gay or lesbian identity seems particularly important for younger, nongay identified persons.
Description
Citation
Berg, R. C., Weatherburn, P., Ross, M. W., & Schmidt, A. J. (2015). The Relationship of Internalized Homonegativity to Sexual Health and Well-Being Among Men in 38 European Countries Who Have Sex With Men. Journal of gay & lesbian mental health, 19(3), 285–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2015.1024375
Publisher
Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health