La construction de l’identité des jeunes homosexuels au portugal

Cet article porte sur les significations individuelles, sociales et politiques de l’homosexualité dans un échantillon d’adolescents gays et d’adolescentes lesbiennes portugais. La méthode de recueil de données est celle du focus groupe, avec un guide de discussion construit à partir des outils conceptuels du modèle de McCarn et Fassinger, ceci afin d’évaluer l’adéquation de ces concepts aux discours et aux représentations personnelles et collectives : i) sur l’impact des expériences subjectives dans le développement de la prise de conscience et de la différenciation homosexuelle, ii) sur la négociation de l’identité gay et lesbienne avec l’autrui significatif et iii) sur la contribution de la mobilisation politique et du coming out à une identité non discriminatoire. Les résultats contribuent à la connaissance des significations individuelles et groupales de l’homosexualité à l’adolescence et de leur influence sur la qualité du développement psychologique des jeunes homosexuels. Enfin, quelques suggestions seront faites pour la mise en place d’une pratique de conseil efficace dans les écoles pour cette population.In this article, we present the individual, social and political meanings of homosexuality in a sample of Portuguese gay and lesbian youths. We use a focus group methodology applying a discussion guide centred on the major conceptual topics offered by McCarn and Fassinger’s model toward an exploration of the adequacy of such topics to personal and collective discourses and representations:i) the impact of subjective experiences in homosexual awareness development and differentiation,ii) gay and lesbian identity negotiation with significant others and iii) the contribution of political mobilization and shared disclosure to a non-discriminated sense of identity. The results contribute to the knowledge of individual and group meanings of homosexuality in adolescence and its influence on the quality of young’s homosexual experience. Finally, some suggestions are made in order to help counsellors to implement a more integrative and efficient practice of counselling with this population in the school context

Multidimensional scale of attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: construction and preliminary validation

Prejudice against non-heterosexual individuals persists and currently assumes various forms. This study describes the process of developing and validating a multidimensional instrument to assess attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Three types of negative attitudes were defined based on a literature review of the various aspects of antigay prejudice. Existing scales were selected and their items were categorized according to expected attitudes. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a scale composed of three negative attitudinal dimensions: two with a more traditional nature (Rejection of proximity and Pathologizing of homosexuality) and a more contemporary one (Modern heterosexism), as well as a positive dimension (Support). All dimensions showed good internal consistency. Additional evidence of the instruments construct validity was obtained through a differential study, based on the participants gender and their interpersonal contact with lesbians and gay men.El prejuicio contra las personas no heterosexuales persiste, asumiendo diversas formas hoy día. Se presenta en este trabajo el proceso de construcción y validación de un instrumento multidimensional de evaluación de las actitudes hacia las lesbianas y los gays. Partiendo de una revisión teórica sobre diversos aspectos del prejuicio, fueron definidos tres tipos de actitudes negativas. Posteriormente fueron seleccionadas escalas de evaluación pre-existentes, siendo sus ítems categorizados de acuerdo con las actitudes propuestas. Análisis factoriales exploratorias revelaron una escala compuesta por tres dimensiones negativas, dos de carácter más tradicional (Rechazo de aproximación y Homopatologización) y una de carácter más actual (Heterosexismo moderno), así como por una actitud positiva (Soporte). Todas las dimensiones presentaron consistencia interna adecuada. Pruebas adicionales de validez de constructo fueron obtenidas a través de un estudio diferencial, en función del sexo de los participantes y de su contacto interpersonal con lesbianas y gays.O preconceito contra as pessoas não heterossexuais persiste e atualmente assume diversas formas. Este estudo teve por objetivo apresentar o processo de construção e validação de um instrumento multidimensional de avaliação de atitudes face a lésbicas e a gays. Partindo de uma revisão teórica sobre diversos aspectos do preconceito anti-homossexual, foram definidos três tipos de atitudes negativas. Selecionou-se, em seguida, um conjunto de escalas pré-existentes, tendo os seus itens sido categorizados de acordo com as atitudes previstas. Análises fatoriais exploratórias revelaram uma escala composta por três dimensões atitudinais negativas, duas de caráter mais tradicional (Rejeição da proximidade e Homopatologização) e uma de caráter mais atual (Heterossexismo moderno), assim como por uma atitude positiva (Suporte). Todas as dimensões apresentaram uma b oa consistência interna. Provas adicionais da validade de constructo do instrumento foram obtidas através de um estudo diferencial, em função do sexo dos participantes e do seu contato interpessoal com lésbicas e gays