2014 Theses Doctoral

Homonegative Microaggressions and Their Impact on Specific Dimensions of Identity Development and Self-Esteem in LGB Individuals

Wegner, Ryan Travis

The current study addresses the presence of perceived homonegative microaggressions, every day verbal, behavioral, and environmental slights towards LGB individuals. The Homonegative Microaggressions Scale (HMS; Wright & Wegner, 2012) was used to measure the frequency of LGB specific microaggressions in two samples recruited through social networking sites, LGB listservs, online LGB communities, and Amazon Mechanical Turk, an online marketplace for individuals willing to complete tasks. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from the first wave of 120 participants resulting in a four-factor model indicative of specific themes of microaggressions found within the HMS. A confirmatory factor analysis used on data from the second wave of 302 participants verified these findings. Additionally, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS) were used to assess potential outcomes of a range of specific forms of homonegative microaggressions through a multivariate multiple regression analysis. Structural equation modeling revealed four distinct themes of homonegative microaggressions including Assumed Deviance, Second-Class Citizen, Assumptions of Gay Culture, and Stereotypical Knowledge and Behavior. Clinical implications and future directions for research are also discussed.