title: The relationship between homosexuality, internalized homo-negativity, and mental health in men who have sex with men.
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.
authors.affiliation: HIV/STI Intervention and Prevention Studies, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 55454, USA. rosser@umn.edu
authors.forename: B R Simon
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rosser
authors.forename: Walter O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Bockting
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Miner
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult