The relationship between homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and mental health in men who have sex with men

B. R Simon Rosser; Walter O. Bockting; Michael W. Ross; Michael H. Miner; Eli Coleman

doi:10.1080/00918360802129394

The relationship between homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and mental health in men who have sex with men

B. R Simon Rosser
, Walter O. Bockting
, Michael W. Ross
, Michael H. Miner
, Eli Coleman

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

92 Scopus citations

Abstract

Whether homosexuality or internalized homo-negativity is the critical variable affecting the mental health of men who have sex with men has long been debated. As part of a larger study, 422 Midwestern homosexual men completed questionnaires examining degree of homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and depression. Logistic regression modeling identified internalized homo-negativity, but not degree of homosexuality, as significantly associated with greater adjustment depression (OR = 1.5), major depression (OR = 2.6), dysthymia (OR = 1.5), and likelihood of being in therapy (OR = 1.4). Internalized homo-negativity was also negatively associated with overall sexual health, psychosexual maturation, comfort with sexual orientation, outness, and peer socialization. Internalized homo-negativity, not homosexuality, appears associated with negative health outcomes. Providers should promote sexual health and avoid interventions that reinforce internalized homo-negativity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	185-203
Number of pages	19
Journal	Journal of Homosexuality
Volume	55
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/00918360802129394
State	Published - Aug 14 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was funded partly under a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, AIDS/STD Prevention Services Section as part of an HIV prevention initiative: Grant Number: 1742-634-9012/9013, and in part by an evaluation grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention– Intervention, Research and Support: Grant Number: U62-CCU513272-01. All research was undertaken with approval of the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board, human subjects’ committee, #9204S05165 and the CDC Institutional Review Board, #1679. Participants were required to sign a two-page informed consent document detailing objectives, risks and benefits prior to participation in the study.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 5 Gender Equality

Keywords

Depression
Gay men
Homophobia
Homosexuality
Internalized homo-negativity
Mental health
Sexual health
Sexual orientation

Publisher link

10.1080/00918360802129394

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abstract = "Whether homosexuality or internalized homo-negativity is the critical variable affecting the mental health of men who have sex with men has long been debated. As part of a larger study, 422 Midwestern homosexual men completed questionnaires examining degree of homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and depression. Logistic regression modeling identified internalized homo-negativity, but not degree of homosexuality, as significantly associated with greater adjustment depression (OR = 1.5), major depression (OR = 2.6), dysthymia (OR = 1.5), and likelihood of being in therapy (OR = 1.4). Internalized homo-negativity was also negatively associated with overall sexual health, psychosexual maturation, comfort with sexual orientation, outness, and peer socialization. Internalized homo-negativity, not homosexuality, appears associated with negative health outcomes. Providers should promote sexual health and avoid interventions that reinforce internalized homo-negativity.",

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The relationship between homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and mental health in men who have sex with men

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

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