Abstract

PEREIRA, Henrique  and  LEAL, Isabel Pereira. A identidade (homo)sexual e os seus determinantes: Implicações para a saúde. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2005, vol.23, n.3, pp.315-322. ISSN 0870-8231.

This article aims to supply an explanatory framework to the manner self-identified homosexual individuals form their identity, and how a positive formation has direct implication to physical and psychological health. A model of homosexual identity is presented based on seven phases: (in)compatibility of understanding social sexual role, recognition of being different, identity confusion, identity tolerance, private acceptance, private and integrated acceptance, and total disclosure. Implications for physical and psychological health derived from a positive identity formation are also explored. 805 individuals participated in the study by answering to the homosexual identity questionnaire. From the results obtained, correlated to a positive identity formation are: "support of friends", "strength of self", "self-esteem", "number of partners", "quality of relationships", "sexual gratification", and "indirect discrimination". The following presented negative correlations: "support of relatives", "direct discrimination", "health concerns", and "religious/ideological affiliation".

Keywords : Homosexual identity; determinants; health.

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