Sexual orientation: Multidimensionality, stigma and self-esteem
Date
1996
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Psychology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine and how self-esteem and homonegativity relates to the multidimensionality of sexual orientation. Randomly selected and volunteer participants were asked to indicate their emotional, social and sexual preferences on various dimensions and to provide a label for their personal sexual orientation. They were also asked to rate their self-esteem and their internalized attitudes towards their own sexual orientation and homosexuality in general. Sexual attraction was the best predictor of a self-label, followed by lifestyle and sexual fantasy. For those participants who indicated a bisexual/ homosexual label, and who indicated bisexual/ homosexual preferences on the dimensions of sexual attraction, fantasy, behavior and lifestyle, internalized homonegativity was significantly correlated with self-esteem. A cluster analysis revealed 6 profiles of participants who rated themselves similarly on the sexual orientation dimensions. The differences between these profiles on means scores of homonegativity and self-esteem were examined. All results are discussed in terms of their relevance towards a need to re-conceptualize sexual orientation and its relation to other variables in clinical and research settings.