Internalized homophobia in a sample of HIV+ gay men, and its relationship to psychological distress, coping, and illness progression.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether internalized homophobia is related to psychological distress and coping style and whether these relationships are moderated by illness stage. A sample of gay men, most of whom were HIV+, Caucasian, and well educated, were administered assessments at both baseline and 2-year follow-up, which allowed for the assessment of change over time in the context of HIV illness progression and to determine whether internalized homophobia predicts psychological distress and coping over time. Greater internalized homophobia at baseline, specifically among those who were HIV+ asymptomatic, predicted higher levels of distress at follow-up. In contrast, internalized homophobia had, at best, a weak association with coping. No relationship was found between illness stage and internalized homophobia, psychological distress, or coping. Mental health professionals working with HIV+ gay men may be more effective in targeting resources and interventions aimed at improving mental health and quality of life if they address issues related to internalized homophobia.