Internalized homonegativity (IH). IH is defined as negative thoughts and feelings one has about their own sexual minority status (Mohr & Kendra, 2011). Despite recent progress made towards equality for many sexual minority individuals, ours remains a culture that continues to promote heterosexist and heteronormative attitudes. Given these non-affirming perspectives on LGB individuals, it is not surprising that many LGB individuals take in or internalize these beliefs and apply them to the self. IH includes not only this self-directed anti-LGB sentiment, but also negative attitudes towards LGB individuals in a general sense (Newcomb & Mustanski, 2010). Meyer (2003) notes that though IH may be higher for those LGB individuals who have not come out, IH can exist throughout the lifespan due to frequent exposure to prejudice events. Indeed, research indicates that IH may be stronger for those who have experienced discrimination. For example, in a study of lesbian women, authors found that those who had experienced discrimination were more likely to …show more content…
A wealth of psychological literature has been dedicated to exploring the variety of adverse outcomes that may stem from experiencing minority stress. Some of these outcomes include psychological distress, suicidality, depressive symptoms, decreased self-esteem, identity confusion, depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction (Balsam & Mohr, 2007; Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003; Kuyper & Fokkema, 2011; Kuyper & Vanwesenbeeck, 2011; Lehavot & Simoni, 2011; Lewis, Derlega, Brown, Rose, & Henson, 2009; Meyer, 1995; Meyer, 2003; Sandfort, Bakker, Schellevis, & Vanwesenbeeck, 2006). Sexual minority individuals are also more likely to seek mental health services than are heterosexuals (Cochran et al., 2003). This array of health problems underscores the need for mental health professionals to gain a better understanding of the variety of potential outcomes that are connected to these minority