Different Dimensions: Internalized Homonegativity Among African American Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Deep South

Authors

Stacy W. Smallwood, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public HealthFollow
S. Melinda Spencer, University of South Carolina - Columbia
Lucy Annang Ingram, University of South Carolina - ColumbiaFollow
Jim F. Thrasher, University of South Carolina - Columbia
Melva V. Thompson-Robinson, University of Nevada-Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Publication Title

Journal of Homosexuality

DOI

10.1080/00918369.2016.1172869

ISSN

1540-3602

Abstract

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Internalized Homonegativity Inventory (IHNI) among African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) in the southeastern United States. Data from 261 AAMSM were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Results showed evidence of a two-factor solution: personal and moral homonegativity and gay affirmation. Internal consistencies were greater than .80, and correlations with other variables (e.g., sociodemographics, religiosity, masculinity) provided evidence of validity. Findings suggesting a two-factor instead of a three-factor solution may indicate that the IHNI manifests differently for AAMSM in the Deep South than for predominantly White MSM. Further research should examine how incorporating new conceptions of internalized homonegativity into culturally specific health-promotion interventions for AAMSM might enhance effectiveness.

Recommended Citation

Smallwood, Stacy W., S. Melinda Spencer, Lucy Annang Ingram, Jim F. Thrasher, Melva V. Thompson-Robinson. 2017. "Different Dimensions: Internalized Homonegativity Among African American Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Deep South." Journal of Homosexuality, 64 (1): 45-60. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1172869
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/commhealth-facpubs/157