Psychological factors predicting identity organization in Latino gay men
Abstract
Though some researchers have explored the identity development dynamics of racial/ethnic and gay/lesbian persons, few have done so in the context of a specific identity model. The investigator in this quantitative study examined the identity organization/resolution of Latino gay men, a population with multiple-oppressed identities, in the context of the Multidimensional Identity Model (MIM). Data were gathered using a "snowball" sampling technique because access to a random sample of Latino gay men was not possible. Despite the limitations of this sampling method, a diverse sample of 80 participants was obtained. The participants were assessed on the psychological factors of gay identity, ethnic identity, acculturation, internalized homophobia, and personal self-esteem. Their scores on measures of these variables were used to predict their self-reported identity organization/resolution group membership from among the four options proposed by the MIM model. Means scores were also compared to explore possible between-group differences on the variables. Results of univariate analyses showed that the identity intersection group had significantly higher mean levels of gay identity integration and personal self-esteem, and a significantly lower mean level of internalized homophobia than the society assigned-passive acceptance group. Significant differences between other groups were found as well. The discriminant analysis yielded two significant functions. One was defined by level of gay identity integration, but the other by strength of ethnic identity and acculturation. Together, these two functions accounted for 88\% of the total variance and accurately predicted 60\% of the grouped cases. In general, the results of this study supported the theoretical underpinnings of the MIM model, and showed that it is a valid paradigm for conceptualizing the identity organization/resolution of Latino gay men. The results also supported the model's contention that there is more than one positive identity organization/resolution option for persons with multiple-oppressed identities.
Subject Area
Social psychology|Minority & ethnic groups|Sociology|Personality
Recommended Citation
Koegel, Henry Michael, "Psychological factors predicting identity organization in Latino gay men" (1996). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9708251.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9708251
