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It is widely accepted that the LGB (Lesbian, gay and bisexual) population have a higher risk of psychological distress compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Meyer (2003) proposed the minority stress model to explain this increased prevalence. This model proposed that the LGB population are subjected to additional stressors due to their minority status which results in the increased psychological distress observed. The purpose of this study was to investigate some of the risk factors proposed by this model, specifically experiences of sexual prejudice, negative internalised beliefs about homosexuality/bisexuality, coping strategies and how these factors interact to influence the development of psychological distress. This study included 542 LGB individuals who completed measures of sexual prejudice, internalised homophobia, coping strategies and current levels of psychological distress using an online survey. The study found a high prevalence of sexual prejudice within the sample, with 84% of the sample reporting at least one experience of sexual prejudice. 67% reported being verbally abused and 17% reported being physically assaulted. A high number of participants scored above the cut-off for a diagnosis of depression (27%) and anxiety (19%). Regression and path analysis revealed that maladaptive coping had the strongest effect on psychological distress. Sexual prejudice and internalised homophobia, also both had a significant direct impact upon psychological distress, and they were also partially mediated by maladaptive coping. Problem-focused coping was found to be a protective factor with a direct, albeit weak, effect on psychological distress. Problem-focused coping also partially mediated the relationship between sexual prejudice and psychological distress, slightly reducing the negative impact of sexual prejudice. The results suggest that maladaptive coping was the greatest risk factor, out of the ones measured, in the development of psychological distress in the LGB population. The outcomes suggest that clinical psychologists may wish to target their interventions at the development of more adaptive coping strategies, and the reduction of internalised homophobia. They should consider ways to reduce experiences of sexual prejudice by working at a community level to reduce the stigma of homosexuality/bisexuality.

This study investigates the relationship between an individual's attitude toward gay men and lesbians and their identity development. The sample included 440 undergraduates from a university in the northeast Texas area. Many, if not all, of the factors that are associated with negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians (i.e., restrictive gender-role attitudes, high levels of authoritarianism, perceptions of negative attitudes toward homosexuals within their peer group, little or no contact with homosexuals, and conservative religious ideologies) have a logical relation to identity development. Furthermore, the various functions that attitudes toward gays and lesbians can serve (e.g., value-expression, group membership) were hypothesized to be especially attractive for persons in specific identity statuses. Thus, the case was made that identity development may be a valuable framework in which to understand attitudes toward gays and lesbians. In the current study, attitudes toward gays and lesbians were related to identity development, though the relationship is complex. When comparing persons who were higher and lower on absolutism, attitude toward gays and lesbians were most similar in achieved identity groups, while those who were foreclosed were the most disparate. In the interaction between identity, absolutism and gender role stereotyping, some groups utilized their attitude to express values more than other groups. Clinical implications as well as limitations of the study are discussed.

De nombreuses recherches, principalement nord-américaines, ont mis en évidence un lien significatif entre orientation sexuelle et comportements suicidaires des adolescent e s / jeunes adultes (Beck & al., 2010). L’homophobie à laquelle les jeunes homo/bisexuel-le-s sont exposé e s est considérée comme l’hypothèse la plus sérieuse pour expliquer ce lien, mais, jusque-là, cette hypothèse n’avait jamais fait l’objet d’une recherche quantitative dans notre pays. Nous l’avons prise en compte dans le cadre d’une enquête réalisée sur la base d’un auto-questionnaire informatisé - composé notamment à partir des échelles « Adolescent Risk inventory » (A.R.I, Lescano & al., 2007), « Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire – Revised » (SBQ-r, Linehan, 1989), et « Homophobia Scale » (Wright, Adams & Bernat, 1999) - auquel ont répondu 475 filles et 426 garçons, âgé-e-s de 18 à 24 ans. Les résultats confirment la sursuicidalité des jeunes homo/bi-sexuel-le-s. Cependant, dans les analyses menées auprès des participants de sexe masculin, l’orientation sexuelle n’apparait plus comme un prédicteur significatif des tentatives de suicide et des conduites à risque dans les modèles explicatifs où l’on introduit les variables «Victimation Verbale Homophobe en milieu scolaire» et «Victimation basée sur la Non-conformité de genre». Ces variables s’avèrent d’ailleurs les plus forts prédicteurs des comportements suicidaires chez les garçons. Ceux-ci présentent des scores moyens à l’échelle d’homophobie/lesbophobie significativement plus élevés que les filles, et la victimation verbale homophobe semble beaucoup plus répandue que la victimation verbale lesbophobe. Cette dernière ne présente par ailleurs pas d’effet significatif sur les tentatives de suicide et les conduites à risque des filles. En revanche, la lesbophobie intériorisée a un effet significatif sur les comportements suicidaires dans le sous-échantillon des filles attirées sexuellement par le même sexe ou en questionnement (ASMSQ), alors que l’homophobie intériorisée n’en présente pas chez les garçons ASMSQ. Ce dernier résultat, basé sur un plus faible effectif, demande à être confirmé par des recherches ultérieures tandis que les analyses portant sur l’ensemble des participants mettent en évidence l’ampleur de la victimation homophobe en milieu scolaire et son impact chez les adolescents et jeunes adultes de sexe masculin. / Several studies (mostly North-American) put into light a significant link between sexual orientation and suicidal behaviors among teenagers and/or young adults. Homophobia to which the young homosexuals are exposed is considered the most serious hypothesis to explain this link. However quantitative studies have never been conducted on this hypothesis in France. We took it into account while carrying out a survey based on a self-questionnaire built up from scales from “Adolescent Risk Inventory” (Lescano & al., 2007), Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire – revised” (Linehan, 1989), and Homophobia Scale” (Wright, Adams & Bernat, 1999). Said survey was answered by 475 young women, and 426 young men aged 18-24.Results confirmed oversuicidality among young homo/bisexuals. However, in the analysis conducted on male participants only, sexual orientation ceases to appear a significant predictor of suicide attempts or risk behavior in explanatory models in which variables « Homophobic Verbal Bullying in school » and « Bullying based on Gender nonconformity » are introduced. Said variables turn out to be the strongest predictors of suicidal behaviors among male adolescents and young adults. Young men have mean scores on the homophobia/lesbophobia scale that are significantly higher than young women's, and homophobic verbal bullying seems a lot more common than lesbophobic verbal bullying. Besides, lesbophobic verbal bullying does not have a significant effect on suicidal attempts and risk behaviors among young women. However, internalized lesbophobia has a significant effect on suicidal behaviors of the sub-sample of young women sexually attracted to same-sex individuals or wondering (ASMSQ), whereas internalized homophobia has no effect on ASMSQ young men. This last result is based on a lower population, and should be confirmed by subsequent studies, whereas analysis on all participants highlight the extent of homophobic bullying in school, and its impact on male teenagers and young adults.

Previous research have theorized that causes of the psychological distress faced by lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) are stigma and discrimination they face in the society. Perceptions of discrimination, whether it actually occurs or not, also affect behaviours. This project investigated whether non-heterosexuals (LGBs) perceive more discrimination than do heterosexuals in the same given situations. In Study 1, LGBs’ levels of perceived discrimination in non-discriminatory situations (those where no actual discrimination took place) were compared with the responses of heterosexuals. In addition, Study 1 also examined which psychological well-being related variables (internalized heterosexism (homophobia), marginalization, isolation, alienation, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life) contributed most to perceptions of discrimination. Five hundred and sixty adults (355 Korean, 205 Australian) participated in the study through an online survey. Major findings were: only the Australian LGBs but not the Korean LGBs showed significantly higher levels of perceived discrimination than did heterosexual counterparts. Using a priming stimulus did not increase the perception of discrimination; heterosexuals were more aware of others knowing their sexual orientation than LGBs. Alienation was the variable that most related to perceived discrimination. Study 1 had used only situations where no actual discrimination was included or intended. This study also showed that there were a number of differences between the Australian and Korean samples: Korean LGBs had significantly lower psychological well-being; and most of the Korean LGBs were in Stage 4 (acceptance) whereas the majority of Australian LGBs were in Stage 6 (synthesis). Further cross-cultural studies are needed. Study 2 examined the responses of perceived discrimination using an actual discriminatory scenario and a non-discriminatory scenario. It also examined the relationships between outness and perceived discrimination; and between previous experience of discrimination and perceived discrimination. Sixty six Australian university students (44 females, 21 males, and one gender unidentified) participated in this second study. Major findings were: significant differences were found in perceived discrimination between the nondiscriminatory and discriminatory scenario situations for all participants, between heterosexuals and LGBs, between lesbians and heterosexual women, but not between lesbian women and gay men. No correlation was found between outness and perceived discrimination in either the discriminatory or the non-discriminatory situations. However, previous experience of discrimination was correlated sharply with perceptions of discrimination in both scenarios.

Prejudice can be defined as the possession of negative attitudes or beliefs that have the potential for people to behave in a discriminatory or hostile manner toward a person because they belong to a certain group. It is believed that attitudes are passed on and communicated inter-generationally. In this context attitudes were examined in a sample of Grade 12 pupils and their parents to establish whether there was a relationship between adolescents and parents attitudes toward homosexuals. Results support the hypothesis that parents' attitudes impact on daughters' attitudes but more specifically that daughters' attitudes are more closely related to mothers' attitudes than they are to fathers' attitudes. Findings for the Attitude Toward Lesbian and Gay men scale revealed that respondents demonstrated more negative attitudes toward gay men than they did toward lesbians, with male respondents (fathers) being more homophobic than females (mothers and daughters). These findings are discussed in terms oftheir implications for research, education strategies, and legislative amendments. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

This study explores the hitherto unexamined phenomenon of queer-care in higher education from the teacher educators' perspectives. While care in education has been the subject of scholarly interest for many years and demonstrating caring for the wellbeing of students is an important component of teaching, the lack of attention to queer-care is a significant oversight in the body of care research and teacher education. Pertinent to this study is the investigation of how well Noddings' enactments of care (modeling, dialogue, practice, and confirmation) address the care needs of queer students. / Four teacher educators shared stories of their efforts to care for the emotional wellbeing of their queer students. As the fifth teacher educator in this work, I investigate my journey to becoming a queer-care practitioner, and my own practice of queer-care. The theoretical frameworks of qualitative and phenomenological research and feminist theory undergird this study. Two processes of analysis were employed, the first being the key sensitizing concepts of Noddings' enactments of care as points of entry into an understanding of the teacher educators' narratives of queer-care. The second level of analysis used the insights so gleaned to guide the focus of the self-study undertaken in this work. / Analysis of the teacher educators' narratives indicates that the practice of queer-care, while sharing certain similarities, is idiosyncratic, complicated, lonely, and often exhausting work. Alongside these findings are indicators that queer-care as practiced by these teacher educators is welcomed by queer students as being all too rare in their university experience, and of benefit to their sense of wellbeing. Findings also reveal that Noddings' enactments of care neither include nor address the particular care needs of queer students. This led me to identify particular care needs of queer students as being those of unwavering discretion, absolute safety, full social membership, and unstinting succour. This necessary awareness expands Noddings' model of care allowing it to include and be responsive to queer students. / This research has implications for teacher educators and any educators concerned with the wellbeing of queer students. It provides suggestions to enrich caring practice in teacher education programs and field experience.

Previous research have theorized that causes of the psychological distress faced by lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) are stigma and discrimination they face in the society. Perceptions of discrimination, whether it actually occurs or not, also affect behaviours. This project investigated whether non-heterosexuals (LGBs) perceive more discrimination than do heterosexuals in the same given situations. In Study 1, LGBs’ levels of perceived discrimination in non-discriminatory situations (those where no actual discrimination took place) were compared with the responses of heterosexuals. In addition, Study 1 also examined which psychological well-being related variables (internalized heterosexism (homophobia), marginalization, isolation, alienation, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life) contributed most to perceptions of discrimination. Five hundred and sixty adults (355 Korean, 205 Australian) participated in the study through an online survey. Major findings were: only the Australian LGBs but not the Korean LGBs showed significantly higher levels of perceived discrimination than did heterosexual counterparts. Using a priming stimulus did not increase the perception of discrimination; heterosexuals were more aware of others knowing their sexual orientation than LGBs. Alienation was the variable that most related to perceived discrimination. Study 1 had used only situations where no actual discrimination was included or intended. This study also showed that there were a number of differences between the Australian and Korean samples: Korean LGBs had significantly lower psychological well-being; and most of the Korean LGBs were in Stage 4 (acceptance) whereas the majority of Australian LGBs were in Stage 6 (synthesis). Further cross-cultural studies are needed. Study 2 examined the responses of perceived discrimination using an actual discriminatory scenario and a non-discriminatory scenario. It also examined the relationships between outness and perceived discrimination; and between previous experience of discrimination and perceived discrimination. Sixty six Australian university students (44 females, 21 males, and one gender unidentified) participated in this second study. Major findings were: significant differences were found in perceived discrimination between the nondiscriminatory and discriminatory scenario situations for all participants, between heterosexuals and LGBs, between lesbians and heterosexual women, but not between lesbian women and gay men. No correlation was found between outness and perceived discrimination in either the discriminatory or the non-discriminatory situations. However, previous experience of discrimination was correlated sharply with perceptions of discrimination in both scenarios.

Esta pesquisa busca compreender os modos de subjetivação de mulheres com práticas homoeróticas que apresentaram denúncias relacionadas à homofobia. Ela parte de uma intervenção realizada pela ONG Nuances - grupo pela livre expressão sexual conveniada ao Programa Brasil Sem Homofobia. Através de entrevistas baseadas na abordagem biográfica, busquei verificar a forma como elas constroem uma experiência de si, no cruzamento entre a sustentação da matriz heterossexista e a emergência de políticas governamentais de combate a discriminação. O material permitiu compreender que elas percebem a discriminação e o preconceito como resultado de uma extrapolação dos limites das convenções de gênero. Desta forma, elas acreditam que a homossexualidade masculina e mulheres que possuem estilos "mais masculinos" estão mais propensos/as a sofrer discriminações, por acreditarem que são mais visíveis. Assim, a perspectiva de uma maior "aceitação" das relações homoeróticas entre mulheres é percebida na articulação entre estilos mais próximos dos padrões de femininos, bem como por uma apropriação do homoerotismo feminino por parte do fetiche masculino. Outro achado foi à evocação de saberes psi nos conflitos familiares. Quanto às estratégias de enfrentamento, foram encontradas tanto formas de manter identidades discretas quanto modos mais combativos, baseados no que chamo de subjetivação militante. De modo geral, estas mulheres consideram os tempos atuais melhores, relacionando-os mais a atuação do movimento social do que aos aparelhos de proteção e políticas públicas estatais. Este fato pode ter algumas razões: a própria estratégia de enfrentamento formulada pelo Brasil Sem Homofobia (fomento a atores do movimento) e a timidez governamental em adotar estratégias de visibilidade de massa, provavelmente provocada pela oposição que o tema da diversidade sexual enfrenta frente a bancadas religiosas. / This research seeks to understand the modes of subjectivation of women with homoerotic practices that have filed complaints related to homophobia. This research had its starting point in an intervention conducted by the NGO Nuances - group for free sexual expression, convening the BRAZIL WITHOUT HOMOPHOBIA Program. Through interviews based on the biographical approach, I tried to see how these women construct a self-experience, at the junction between the prevailing heterosexist matrix and the emergence of government policies to combat discrimination. The material allowed to find that they understand discrimination and prejudice as a result of an extrapolation of the limits of gender conventions. Following this logic, they believe that male homosexuality and women who have more "masculine" styles are more likely to be discriminated against, on the basis that they are "more visible". The prospect of greater "acceptance" of homoerotic relationships between women is perceived by these women, and it is related to standard female performances, as well as an appropriation of female homoeroticism by the male fetish. Another finding was the evocation of psychological knowledge in family disputes. The coping strategies were found both in ways that maintain discrete identities as in more openly-combative styles, based on what I call "militant subjectivity". In general, these women consider the actual times better to homosexuals, relating this fact more to the work of social movement than to the apparatus of protection and state public policies. This fact may have some reasons: the coping strategy formulated by Brasil Sem Homofobia (encouraging the movement actors) and government timidity in adopting strategies of mass visibility, probably caused by the opposition that sexual diversity is facing by religious political parties.