Validity
As only the potential measure itself was assessed in this study ( Currie et al., 2004 ), there were no other vari-
ables by which to assess validity and evidence for these criteria has not yet been established elsewhere (see Grey,
Robinson, Coleman, & Bockting, 2013 ).
Convergent/Concurrent
No information on convergent validity is currently available.
Divergent/Discriminant
No information on divergent validity is currently available.
Construct/Factor Analytic
The sample ( N5677) was split into two random, independent samples. An exploratory factor analysis with
oblimin rotation, resulted in a three-dimensional model with factors labeled: Public Identification as Gay (5 items),
Sexual Comfort with Gay Men (4 items), and Social comfort with gay men (4 items; Currie et al., 2004 ).
Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate to good fit for all three factors after removing one
redundant item from the Public Identification subscale (leaving a total of 12 items; Currie et al., 2004 ). This model
fit the data well ( χ2(51,N5335)566.67, p5.069; CFI 5.98). Intercorrelations between subscales ranged from .42
to .48 ( Currie et al., 2004 ).
Criterion/Predictive
No information on criterion/predictive validity is currently available.
Location
Currie, M.R., Cunningham, E.G., & Findlay, B.M. (2004). The short internalized homonegativity scale:
Examination of the factorial structure of a new measure of internalized homophobia. Educational and Psychological
Measurement ,64, 1053 /C01067.
Results and Comments
The authors’ goal in developing this instrument was to create a short measure of internalized homopho-
bia (among gay men) that reflects contemporary atti t u d e sa sw e l la ss e x u a lc o m f o r tw i t ho t h e rg a ym e n .
The latter has been absent in previous scales and address es attitudes relating to same-sex eroticism, attrac-
tion, and expression. The SIHS is essentially a shorte ned version of Ross and Rosser’s (1996) internalized
homophobia scale with the Sexual Comfort subscale replacing the original Perceptions of Stigma subscale.
Cronbach alpha coefficients for this shortened versio n were higher than for Ross and Rosser’s (1996) scale.
While the large, diverse samples on which item selection and scale validation was conducted is a strength,
the failure to include additional measures in these studies prevents any assessment of convergent or diver-
gent validity. Future studies assessing the relation of the SIHS to known correlates of internalized homo-
phobia are needed.
SIHS SAMPLE ITEMS
Factor 1: Public Identification
1.It is important to me to control who knows about my
homosexuality.
2.I feel comfortable discussing homosexuality in a
public situation. (R)
3.Even if I could change my sexual orientation I
wouldn’t. (R)Factor 2: Sexual Comfort
4.Most gay men cannot sustain a long-term committed
relationship.
5.Gay men tend to flaunt their sexuality
inappropriately.
6.Gay men are generally more promiscuous than
straight men.744 25. MEASURES OF ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEXUAL ORIENTATION: HETEROSEXISM, HOMOPHOBIA, AND INTERNALIZED STIGMA
VI. SOCIOCULTURAL INTERACTION AND CONFLICT