Researchers at the University of Rome are currently investigating a possible link between homophobia and psychosis. The study, titled Psychoticism, Immature Defense Mechanisms, and a Fearful Attachment Style are Associated with Higher Homophobic Attitude, was recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
The Study of Homophobia
This is not the first time homophobia has been the subject of study. Previous research, in an attempt to shed light on the topic, has argued that homophobic people may actually have secret homosexual tendencies themselves. By contrast, other studies have suggested the opposite, claiming that homophobic people simply could have an extreme aversion to people that are attracted to the same sex.
The focus of this particular study has never been previously investigated. To gather the data, researchers conducted a psychometric evaluation, examining 551 Italian students, between the ages of 18-30, with consideration to variety of different factors. Researchers implemented a “Homophobia Scale” questionnaire, with which students had to rate how strongly they agreed or disagreed with 25 statements.
Attachment style (mature, preoccupied, fearful and dismissing), defense mechanism style (mature, neurotic, and immature), and nine different psychopathologic symptoms were also examined, including somatization, obsession–compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism.
Furthermore, the study considered the sociodemographic characteristics of the students, revealing that religion and culture largely influence whether or not a person is homophobic. Jannini, as such, believes homophobia is culture-induced and is currently working on expanding this study to examine students in Albania.
So, are homophobic people also psychotic?
Homophobic people are not exactly psychotic. However, they do display a certain amount of personality traits associated with psychosis, including anger, aggression, and hostility. The way homophobic people deal with problems is also considered to be “immature,” although it was noted that people with more depressive tendencies are less likely to be homophobic.
Furthermore, men are much more likely to be homophobic of homosexual men and are rarely homophobic of homosexual women. Women, on the other hand, are less likely to be homophobic of either group.
