TY - JOUR
T1 - Internalized homonegativity, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men
AU - Davidson, Kenneth
AU - McLaren, Suzanne
AU - Jenkins, Megan
AU - Corboy, Denise
AU - Gibbs, Petah M.
AU - Molloy, Mari
N1 - Includes bibliographical references.
PY - 2017/3/21
Y1 - 2017/3/21
N2 - Internalized homonegativity has been directly linked to depression among gay men. The aim of the study was to test whether internalized homonegativity is indirectly related to depressive symptoms via a sense of belonging to the broad gay community, gay groups, gay friends, and the general community. A sample of 246 self-identified Australian gay men, aged 18–82 years, completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Sense of Belonging Within Gay Communities Scale, and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that the final model was an excellent fit to the data. Internalized homonegativity was indirectly related to depressive symptoms via sense of belonging to gay groups, with gay friends, and to the general community. Interventions aimed at reducing internalized homonegativity among gay men have the potential to enhance sense of belonging and, in turn, decrease depressive symptoms.
AB - Internalized homonegativity has been directly linked to depression among gay men. The aim of the study was to test whether internalized homonegativity is indirectly related to depressive symptoms via a sense of belonging to the broad gay community, gay groups, gay friends, and the general community. A sample of 246 self-identified Australian gay men, aged 18–82 years, completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Sense of Belonging Within Gay Communities Scale, and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that the final model was an excellent fit to the data. Internalized homonegativity was indirectly related to depressive symptoms via sense of belonging to gay groups, with gay friends, and to the general community. Interventions aimed at reducing internalized homonegativity among gay men have the potential to enhance sense of belonging and, in turn, decrease depressive symptoms.
KW - Depressive symptoms
KW - Gay men
KW - Internalized homonegativity
KW - Sense of belonging
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U2 - 10.1080/00918369.2016.1190215
DO - 10.1080/00918369.2016.1190215
M3 - Article
C2 - 27185322
AN - SCOPUS:84995538682
SN - 0091-8369
VL - 64
SP - 450
EP - 465
JO - Journal of Homosexuality
JF - Journal of Homosexuality
IS - 4
ER -