Homophobia: personality and attitudinal correlates

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether homophobia reflects a specific negative sentiment towards gay men or whether it incorporates a broader anti-feminine disposition. As such, convergent validity (i.e. masculinity, anti-feminine attitudes) and discriminant validity (i.e. alcoholism, sexual coercion, depression, and trait anxiety) were investigated. Participants were 385 heterosexual males who completed a questionnaire battery. Results offer information relative to convergent and discriminant validity of homophobia. Findings suggest that homophobia is related to heightened levels of masculinity and may develop in men who feel threatened by individuals whom they perceive to have feminine characteristics (e.g. women, gay men). Consequently, it is possible that such a threat-driven homophobic constitution may explain the increased likelihood of anti-gay and anti-women aggression.