scores with those who belong to a religious organization exhibiting the highest scores. Thus, IHP-R scores ( Herek
et al., 2009 ) positively predicted conservative political identification and greater religiosity.
Location
Martin, J.L., & Dean, L.L. (1987). Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality Scale. Unpublished manuscript, Columbia
University, New York.
Meyer, I.H., & Dean, L. (1998). Internalized homophobia, intimacy, and sexual behavior among gay and bisex-
ual men. In G.M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma and sexual orientation: Understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and
bisexuals (pp. 160 /C0186). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Herek, G.M., Gillis, J. R., & Cogan, J.C. (2009). Internalized stigma among sexual minority adults: Insights
from a social psychological perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology ,56,3 2/C043.
Results and Comments
Applying a minority stress model, the IHP and IHP-R assess internalized homophobia as distinct from (but
related to) mental health outcomes, ‘outness’, and community connections ( Frost & Meyer, 2009 ). In the studies
reported above, mean scores were low, and positively skewed. Meyer and Dean (1998) , and Herek et al. (1998) ,
noted that this may be due to the non-clinical, ‘relatively out’ characteristics of the samples and that previous evi-
dence drawn from clinical samples likely overestimates the prevalence and severity of internalized homophobia.
Still, about 30% of the original cohort obtained the lowest possible score ( Meyer & Dean, 1998 ), suggesting that
even at the time of its development, this scale’s content may have been too extreme to tap more subtle manifesta-
tions of internalized homophobia. IHP scores were even lower among lesbians ( Herek et al., 1998 ) and not signifi-
cantly related to self-esteem and other expected correlates. IHP-R responses are strongly positively skewed with
the majority of respondents (89% of lesbians, 77.5% of gay men, 78% of bisexual women, and 54.5% of bisexual
men) not reporting internalized homophobia ( Herek et al., 2009 ). Still, due to its brevity and applicability to les-
bians and bisexuals as well as gay men, the IHP-R is generally preferred to the IHP.
IHP-R SAMPLE ITEMS
1.I have tried to stop being attracted to women [men]
in general.
2.I feel that being lesbian/bisexual [gay/bisexual] is a
personal shortcoming for me.
3.I would like to get professional help in order to
change my sexual orientation from lesbian/bisexual
[gay/bisexual] to straight.Notes :
Items are rated on a 5-pont Likert-type scale ranging
from: 1 5Disagree strongly to 55Agree strongly .
Displayed is the female version of the IHP-R items
with the alternative wording for male respondents
indicated in brackets.
Reproduced with permission.
Internalized Homonegativity Inventory (IHNI)
(Mayfield, 2001 ).
Variable
The IHNI ( Mayfield, 2001 ) assesses homonegativity among gay men, including both global and personal levels
of negative attitudes (those directed toward homosexuality in general and those directed toward its manifestation
in the self). The author notes that these are distinct from factors relating to gay culture, which this scale is not
designed to assess.
Description
Mayfield (2001) began scale construction by generating an initial pool of items in keeping with the above defi-
nition of homonegativity. Based on feedback from several counseling graduate students and professors (both gay
and heterosexual) and factor analytic results, the scale was reduced to 23 items and supports a three-factor solu-
tion with the following dimensions: Personal Homonegativity (11 items), Morality (5 items), and Gay Affirmation
(7 items). The first factor appears to reflect personal homonegativity, the second assesses global homonegativity,
and the third (unexpected) factor reflects positive attitudes toward same-sex sexuality. Items are rated on a741 MEASURES OF INTERNALIZED ANTI-LGB BIAS
VI. SOCIOCULTURAL INTERACTION AND CONFLICT