Internalized Sexual Stigma in Italian Lesbians and Gay Men: The Roles of Outness, Connectedness to the LGBT Community, and Relationship Satisfaction

J Sex Marital Ther. 2018;44(7):641-656. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2018.1447056. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Abstract

The authors examined the extent to which outness, connectedness to the LGBT community, and relationship satisfaction could be used to predict internalized sexual stigma scores. A total of 279 Italian lesbians (47%) and gay men (53%) in a same-sex relationship for at least six months completed the web-based survey. Significant correlations were found between outness, connectedness, relationship satisfaction, and internalized stigma. Analyses of variance were conducted on demographic variables to explore group differences. Multivariate regression analysis suggests that demographic variables, outness, connectedness, and relationship satisfaction combined accounted for 32.8% of the variance in overall internalized sexual stigma. Clinical implications are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bisexuality / psychology
  • Female
  • Homophobia / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Female / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Stigma*
  • Young Adult