Exploring the Influence of Orientation on Risk and Protective Factors Associated

with Well-Being in a Sample of Non-Heterosexual Men

Manuel Hurtado, Edi Kuhn, Lauren Yadlosky, MS, Dane Whicker, PhD, Ed de St. Aubin, PhD
Marquette University Psychology Department, Sex and Gender Research Lab

Introduction Methods Results

• Previous literature states that lesbian, gay, and
bisexual (LGB) individuals regularly demonstrate
greater psychological distress and lower well-being
(Meyer, 2003).
• Research has yet to explore connections between
internalized homonegativity, connectedness to the
LGB community, and well-being in monosexuals
(LG) versus non-monosexuals (not exclusively LG).
Researchers predicted that monosexual
participants would report less internalized
homonegativity, higher levels of gay
community involvement, greater life
satisfaction, and fewer depressive symptoms
than non-monosexual participants.
Participants:
• N = 179 self-identified, non-heterosexual
men completed measures via an anonymous
online survey
• Age M = 34.56
Survey Measures:
• Sexual Attraction Scale
• Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (Henry
& Crawford, 2005; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995),
• Internalized Homonegativity Inventory (IHI)
(Mayfield, 2001)
• Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, 1985)
• Identification and Involvement with the Gay
Community Scale (IIGCS) (Vanable, McKirnan,
& Stokes, 1998)
Replicating previous findings greater internalized
homonegativity was associated with:
• Lower life satisfaction, and more depression.
Greater identification and involvement with the gay
community was associated with:
• Greater life satisfaction, and lower internalized
homonegativity.
Comparisons between monosexual and non-
monosexual individuals found non-monosexuals
demonstrated:
• Significantly lower life satisfaction (p < .05),
• more depression (p < .0001),
• greater internalized homonegativity (p < .0001),
• and less identification and involvement with the gay
community (p < .0001) compared to monosexuals.

Sexual Attraction Scale Monosexuals versus Non-Monosexuals*

1 7 12

(attracted (attracted 10 Monosexual

to only men) to only women) Non-Monosexual
8

Monosexual: exclusively attracted to only men, or 6

exclusively attracted to only women.
• i.e., 1 or 7 4

Non-Monosexual: Not exclusively attracted to only 2

men, and not exclusively attracted to only women.

0
• i.e., 2 – 6 Life Satisfaction Depression Internalized Involvment in
Homonegativity Gay Community
*Mean values have been standardized. Included measures utilize different scales form one another.

Conclusions
Negative outcomes likely result from interconnections between these risk and protective factors. Non-monosexuals may perceive and internalize
stigmatization from both heterosexual and homosexual communities, which negatively impacts well-being. Future research should explore the mediating and
moderating influences of internalized homonegativity and community identification and involvement on well-being outcomes for non-monosexuals.