Internalized homophobia and relationship quality among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals.

TLDR

The study examined how internalized homophobia, outness, community connectedness, and depressive symptoms relate to relationship quality in 396 LGB individuals, aiming to clarify the distinct effects of internalized homophobia versus its correlates. Using a diverse community sample of 396 LGB participants, the authors employed structural equation modeling to assess associations among internalized homophobia, outness, community connectedness, depressive symptoms, and relationship quality. Structural equation modeling revealed that internalized homophobia predicts increased relationship problems, with depressive symptoms mediating this link, offering insights for counseling interventions.

Abstract

We examined the associations between internalized homophobia, outness, community connectedness, depressive symptoms, and relationship quality among a diverse community sample of 396 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Structural equation models showed that internalized homophobia was associated with greater relationship problems both generally and among coupled participants independent of outness and community connectedness. Depressive symptoms mediated the association between internalized homophobia and relationship problems. This study improves current understandings of the association between internalized homophobia and relationship quality by distinguishing between the effects of the core construct of internalized homophobia and its correlates and outcomes. The findings are useful for counselors interested in interventions and treatment approaches to help LGB individuals cope with internalized homophobia and relationship problems.