Aspects Regarding the Reliability of the Translated and Adapted Version of the Gay/Lesbian Identity Scale
Journal Title: Journal of Experiential Psychotherapy - Year 2015, Vol 18, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual identity has been studied during the last years as a complex dimension of human sexuality, referring to how a person constructs and defines his or her Sexual Self. Sexual identity includes not only the person’s sexual orientation, but also social, interpersonal and intrapsychic dimensions. Specialists in the field of human sexuality consider sexual identity to be a subjective and individualized pattern of attractions, erotic desires and fantasies, sexual values and socio-cultural norms regarding the expression of sexuality and the role-sex identity. Sexual identity comprises multiple dimensions, therefore in the structuring, development and consolidation of identity multiple factors are involved, such as: biological factors; the micro-social context; social norms related to gender identity; culture; religious or spiritual beliefs and homonegativity and sexual prejudice. Researching the mechanisms and dynamics involved in the development of homosexual identity, several authors have described theoretical models centered on the formation of a homosexual/lesbian identity (Cass, 1979; Troiden, 1993; D’Augelli, 1994; Fassinger, 1998). Methods: Objectives - The main objective of this paper is to is to test the reliability of the gay and lesbian identity scale (LGBIS scale) (Mohr & Kendra, 2011), which has been translated and adapted according to the purposes and specific of our study of the gay and lesbian identity. Also, another objective is to evaluate whether there are significant differences between lesbian women and gay men regarding the psychological and social mechanisms involved in the development and assumption of one’s identity. Participants: 148 people participated in this study, 89 lesbian females and 59 gay males, aged between 18 and 56 years old, having diverse educational backgrounds (from high school graduation to PhD degree) and living in the Romanian social and cultural context. Instruments: The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Scale (LGBIS Scale) developed by Mohr & Kendra (2011) was the methodological instrument used. The items of the scale had been translated and adapted so that the instrument could serve the purpose of our research on the mechanisms and dynamics of homosexual identity. Procedure: Participants were invited to complete an online version of the scale and had to carefully read each item and then score it on a 5-point Liker scale, ranging from 1 – Strongly Disagree to 5 – Totally Agree. The participants’ responses were recorded at the end, by pressing the “submit” button and without offering any other additional personal information or contact details. Results: The LGBIS scale proves to have a very high internal consistency, the value of the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient ranging from a lowest value of 0.739 (concealment motivation subscale) to a highest value of 0.942 (identity uncertainty). In addition, every item of the scale justifies its presence within the scale. In consequence, we didn’t have to eliminate any item from the scale, as the value of the internal consistency coefficient could not be increased more. Also, it has been confirmed that there are significant statistical differences between lesbian women and gay men regarding the following identity dimensions: acceptance concerns, internalized homonegativity and identity affirmation. Conclusions: The adapted and translated version of the LGBIS scale proved to have a high reliability, as measured by the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient, which means that we can use the scale in order to investigate the psychological and social mechanisms of gay and lesbian identities. We intend to further use the scale in order to deeply investigate and evaluate the way in which gay and lesbian identities are structured and integrated in the person’s self-concept and overall identity. The LGBIS scale can help us better understand the relationship between the personal and public aspects of gay and lesbian identities and the way in which these aspects coexist in the lives of gay men and lesbian women. Also, understanding individual differences in the development of sexual identity will provide us with a broader perspective over the specific challenges faced by gay and lesbian persons both at a personal and social level.
Authors and Affiliations
Iuliana E. Molnar
Keywords
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