Abstract
A convenience sample of 57 lesbian women who had been recruited for a study of adjustment to breast cancer completed measures of internalized homophobia, degree of disclosure of sexual orientation, social support, self-esteem, and distress. Consistent with our prediction, internalized homophobia related to greater distress. Contrary to our prediction, disclosure did not relate to lower distress. Path models were consistent with the position that internalized homophobia promotes distress through lower self-esteem and perceived unavailability of social support. However, the data were also consistent with a model in which low self-esteem leads to internalized homophobia by way of elevated distress. Internalized homophobia also related inversely to utilization of health care resources. Our discussion centers on the need for more information regarding this understudied population.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-9 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Psychology of Women Quarterly |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2001 |
Funding
This research was supported by research grant CA-64710 from the National Cancer Institute, an administrative supplement to that grant from the Office of Research on Women's Health, and training grant J4236-DAMD1794 from the Department of Defense. We thank the participants for sharing their time and experiences with us.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- General Psychology
