Sexual Orientation: Multidimensionality, Stigma & Self-Esteem

Abstract

This focus of this present is two-fold: We are interested in a\ud multidimensional definition of sexual orientation and the relationship between\ud societal heterosexism and self-esteem. We are concerned with the relationship between internalized homonegativity and lowered self-esteem within individuals\ud expressing, lesbian, gay, or bisexual aspects of multidimensional sexual orientation. Participants responses to the Klien Sexual Oreintation Grid, the Nungesser Homosexual Attitudes Inventory, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were obtained through anonymous questionnaires. Our results support a\ud multidimensional conceptualization of sexual orientation. Regression analyses\ud revealed that sexual attraction, heterosexual/ homosexual lifestyle, and sexual fantasy are predictive of sexual orientation self-identification. Correlational analyses reveal that within individuals expressing lesbian, gay, or bisexual\ud tendencies for either self-identification, sexual behavior, sexual attraction or sexual\ud fantasy, a negative relationship exists between internalized homonegativity and\ud self-esteem. Sexual orientation profiles were created through cluster analysis in order to view the negative relationship between homonegativity and self-esteem within multidimensional sexuality