Clinical and Psychosocial Factors in the Comprehension of Discriminatory Attitudes against Sexual Minorities

Abstract

Sexual minorities, including gay men, lesbian women, and bisexual individuals, often represent the target of discriminatory and intolerant attitudes. These attitudes, which apparently have recently increased, may frequently result in anti-homosexual aggressive and violent behaviors, representing a real social urgency. Thus, deepening our understanding of the roots of homophobic intolerance is needed in order to better prevent the risk of victimization processes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to comprehend which psychosocial and clinical factors may be involved in discriminatory attitudes against sexual minorities. Methods: The study’s participants were 254 heterosexual adults (117 men and 137 women) ranging in age between 19 and 45 years (Mage = 25.63, SD = 9.16). Participants completed four self-report questionnaires: Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS-R), Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWAS), NEO Five-Factor Inventory 3 (NEO FFI 3), and Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R). Results: A structural equation model was computed to explore psychological (extroversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and neuroticism), social (religiosity, political orientation, and right-wing authoritarianism), and clinical (psychopathological symptoms) factors potentially involved in discriminatory and homophobic attitudes against sexual minorities. Results showed that social factors, particularly right-wing authoritarianism, were the most related factors to anti-homosexual feelings. Lower agreeableness and lower psychopathological symptoms were also apparently involved in discriminatory attitudes against sexual minorities. Discussion: High levels of right-wing authoritarianism are strongly associated with intolerant attitudes towards homosexual and bisexual people. Indeed, authoritarian individuals tend to consider sexual minorities as groups that deviate from culturally shared beliefs about gender roles and sexuality, threatening traditional norms, behaviors, and values. These beliefs may result in explicit violence and victimization processes against these minorities. Education interventions are thus needed to favor the creation of a respectful environment and the development of an inclusive and tolerant society that recognizes diversity as a value.