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Enacted Sexual Stigma, Stigma Consciousness, and Subjective Happiness Scale Adaptation: A Two-Country Study
Jenna Strizzi1, Inmaculada Fernández-Agis2, Tesifon Parrón-Carreño2
1University of Almeria, Spain jenna.strizzi@gmail.com.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|November 9, 2014
Summary
This study validated stigma consciousness scales for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals in Spain and the US. Higher stigma consciousness correlated with more anti-LGBQ threats and lower subjective happiness.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Sexual stigma and prejudice contribute to violence against LGBQ individuals.
- Stigma consciousness, the awareness of societal prejudice, can impact mental well-being.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing anti-LGBQ hate crimes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) and Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) for LGBQ populations in Spain and the US.
- To examine the correlation between stigma consciousness, anti-LGBQ hate crime victimization, and violent incidents.
- To investigate the influence of stigma consciousness on subjective happiness among LGBQ individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-cultural validation of SCQ and SHS using samples from Spain (N=157) and the US (N=83).
- Correlational analyses to assess relationships between stigma consciousness, hate crime victimization, and violent incidents.
- Examination of the impact of stigma consciousness on subjective happiness.
Main Results:
- US participants reported higher stigma consciousness and experienced more anti-LGBQ threats and insults compared to Spanish participants.
- Hate crime victimization rates were similar across both samples and positively correlated with violent incidents.
- Subjective happiness showed a negative correlation with overall stigma consciousness, but not with enacted stigma subscales.
Conclusions:
- The SCQ and SHS are validated for use with LGBQ populations in Spanish and US contexts.
- Stigma consciousness is linked to increased experiences of anti-LGBQ prejudice and threats.
- Higher stigma consciousness may negatively impact subjective happiness in LGBQ individuals, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
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