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Structural and environmental factors are associated with internalised homonegativity in men who have sex with men: Findings from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) in 38 countries

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  • Berg, Rigmor C.
  • Ross, Michael W.
  • Weatherburn, Peter
  • Schmidt, Axel J.

Abstract

Internalised homonegativity refers to a gay person's negative feelings about homosexuality and is believed to stem from negative societal stereotypes and attitudes towards homosexuality. Surprisingly, little research has centred on this link. In this research, we aimed to examine the associations between internalised homonegativity and structural forces, cultural influence, and access to sexual health promotion measures among a sample of 144,177 men who have sex with men (MSM) in 38 European countries. Participants were recruited as part of the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) during 2010. It was a self-completion, multilingual Internet-based survey for men living in Europe who have sex with men and/or feel attracted to men. Assumed causal relations were tested through multiple regression models. Variables at the structure of rule-systems (macro-level) that were significantly and negatively associated with internalised homonegativity were the presence of laws recognising same-sex relationships and same-sex adoption. In the meso-level model, greater proportions of the population expressing that they would not like to have homosexuals as neighbours predicted higher internalised homonegativity. In the last model, five variables were significantly and negatively associated with internalised homonegativity: being exposed to HIV/STI information for MSM, access to HIV testing, access to STI testing, access to condoms, and experience of gay-related hostility. In turn, men who had tested for HIV in the past year evidenced lower internalised homonegativity. This is the largest and certainly most geographically diverse study to date to examine structural and environmental predictors of internalised homonegativity among MSM. Our results show that one insidious consequence of society's stigma towards homosexuals is the internalisation of that stigma by gay and bisexual men themselves, thus, drawing attention to the importance of promoting social equity for self-acceptance around gay identity in building a positive sense of self.

Suggested Citation

  • Berg, Rigmor C. & Ross, Michael W. & Weatherburn, Peter & Schmidt, Axel J., 2013. "Structural and environmental factors are associated with internalised homonegativity in men who have sex with men: Findings from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) in 38 countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 61-69.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:78:y:2013:i:c:p:61-69
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.11.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mays, V.M. & Cochran, S.D., 2001. "Mental health correlates of perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(11), pages 1869-1876.
    2. Ross, Michael W. & Tikkanen, Ronny & Månsson, Sven-Axel, 2000. "Differences between Internet samples and conventional samples of men who have sex with men: implications for research and HIV interventions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(5), pages 749-758, September.
    3. Ross, Michael W. & Månsson, Sven-Axel & Daneback, Kristian & Cooper, Al & Tikkanen, Ronny, 2005. "Biases in internet sexual health samples: Comparison of an internet sexuality survey and a national sexual health survey in Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 245-252, July.
    4. Robert Andersen & Tina Fetner, 2008. "Economic Inequality and Intolerance: Attitudes toward Homosexuality in 35 Democracies," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(4), pages 942-958, October.
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    2. Broussard, Kathleen, 2020. "The changing landscape of abortion care: Embodied experiences of structural stigma in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).

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