Poor mental and sexual health predicted homosexuals' negative feelings about sexuality

University of Minnesota researchers published a study showing that the degree of internalized homonegativity (negative attitudes towards homosexuality) among gay men is that it predicts poor mental and sexual health - that homosexual.

The seminar on the prevention of HIV infection, 422 Midwestern gay and bisexual men completed a survey to assess the extent of their homosexuality, their degree of positive or negative attitudes towards homosexuality, as well as some mental and sexual health variables.

In all cases, homonegativity internal, rather than gay, predicted poor mental health (including increased depression) and the worst sexual health. The study appears in the September issue of homosexuality.

This study helps to debate whether or not gay is healthy, said Simon Rosser, Ph.D., Research Fellow at the School of Public Health and principal investigator on the study.

"This study represents a missing link in our understanding of the relationship between sexuality and health," he said. "This opens up new evidence that negative attitudes towards homosexuality, not homosexuality per se that are linked to poor mental and sexual health in the area of sexual minorities. On the contrary, positive attitude towards homosexuality is linked with improved mental health and sexual health."

For more than 150 years, scientists and educators have been discussing whether homosexuality is a disease, or if the company harm, homosexuality is not conducive to increasing rates of depression, drug abuse and HIV / STD epidemic in the study of gay men, Rosser said. The study will test both theories.

"In light of discussions in many religious denominations over homosexuality, and in the community about gay and civil rights, it is also the right time," said Rosser. "Especially the old advice to gay men in the fight, deny or minimize their homosexuality, probably only increased depression, more isolated, and poorer sexual health. The words, see homosexuality as a disease is not only inaccurate but also may be."

source : University of Minnesota