Ricerc@Sapienza

Purpose: No previous research has deeply investigated the association between gay men and lesbians’ adherence to gender roles and their internalized sexual stigma. This study suggests a potential non-linear correlation between these factors.
Methods: Seventy-five gay men and 70 lesbians responded to self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate linear, quadratic, and exponential models and to determine which model best explained the correlation.
Results: The quadratic model best explained the correlation, showing no gender differences.
Conclusion: Adherence to gender roles constitutes a relevant factor in predicting internalized sexual stigma