Internalized Homophobia, Perceived Parental Social Support and Depression in Lesbian Women and Gay Men in India

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between internalized homophobia, perceived parental social support, and depression in a sample of 65 out of which 34 were gay men and 31 were lesbians, in India, recruited via purposive sampling. Tools utilized include the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma (MISS-LG), Perceived Parental Social Support Scale (PPSS-LG), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The results indicated no significant differences in levels of internalized homophobia, Perceived Parental Social Support and Depression between the lesbians and gay men. However, internalized homophobia significantly correlated with both depression and parental social support. These findings enhance understanding of the lesbian and gay population, offering insights for therapy and supporting future research on LGBTQIA+ mental health dynamics in India.