Bias towards gay patients by psychoanalytic clinicians: an empirical investigation

Results of an empirical investigation of psychoanalysts' attitudes towards and clinical assessment of gay patients are reported. The study employed matched-vignette methodology; analysts rated their reactions on the Semantic Differential to homosexual and heterosexual patients with identical histories. They also rated degree of impairment in psychological functioning on the Global Assessment of Functioning and made DSM-III-R diagnoses. Results indicate that psychoanalysts maintain a subtle but significant negative bias towards homosexual patients, particularly those that have serious psychopathology. A negative bias towards the mentally ill in general also emerged. Suggestions for future studies and implications for training clinicians are discussed.