Y. Barry Chung

Internalized Homophobia in Lesbians

SUMMARY In this article we discuss the importance of studying internalized homophobia and provide a rationale for studying internalized homophobia in lesbians apart from gay men. We review published scales used to assess internalized homophobia in lesbians and describe recent studies on the correlates of internalized homophobia in lesbians. We discuss concepts of internalized homophobia as minority stress and identify variables that have been theoretically linked to internalized homophobia in lesbians but have not been empirically examined. Implications for practice and research are also discussed.

Developing an Assessment of Sexual Identity Management for Lesbian and Gay Workers

Prior research examining disclosure of sexual orientation at work suggests that lesbian and gay people employ diverse strategies for managing this nonvisible aspect of their identity. Yet, research concerning sexual identity management has been hampered by inadequate conceptual definition and measurement. This paper reports initial development of the Workplace Sexual Identity Management Measure (WSIMM) based on a conceptual model of lesbian and gay identity management supported by prior qualitative research. Psychometric properties of the WSIMM were examined for a sample of 172 student affairs professionals. Results suggest the WSIMM successfully assesses a continuum of identity management strategies and lend partial support for individual scales. Recommendations concerning appropriate uses and further refinement of the measure are provided.

Feminist Attitudes and Coping Resources as Correlates of Lesbian Internalized Heterosexism

This study examined how internalized heterosexism is related to feminist attitudes and coping resources in a sample of 210 female participants living in the United States. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire and measures assessing lesbian internalized heterosexism, self-identification as feminist, attitudes towards feminism, involvement in feminist activities, and coping resources. Results indicated that internalized heterosexism correlated moderately with each of the feminist variables and had a low correlation with coping resources. Hierarchical regression analysis, controlling for age and income, identified attitudes toward feminism, involvement in feminist activities, and coping resources as unique predictors of internalized heterosexism, accounting for 31 percent of the variance. Research and practice implications are discussed.

Development and Validation of the Internalized Racial Oppression Scale for Black Individuals.

This article describes the development and validation of the Internalized Racial Oppression Scale (IROS) for Black individuals in 2 studies using a total sample of 468 Black college students. The IROS is intended to measure the degree to which racial oppression is internalized and replicated by Black individuals in the United States. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a five-factor solution: Belief in the Biased Representation of History (BRH), Devaluation of the African Worldview and Motifs (DAW), Alteration of Physical Appearance (APA), Internalization of Negative Stereotypes (INS), and Hair Change (HC). Confirmatory factory analysis supported an adequate model fit of a four-factor model: BRH, APA, INS, and HC. All factors of the IROS were positively correlated with the Pre-Encounter subscale of the Racial Identity Attitude Scale (RIAS-B; J. E. Helms & T. A. Parham, 1996), and 4 of the factors were negatively correlated with the Immersion/Emersion subscale of the RIAS-B. Four factors of the IROS were negatively correlated with all subscales and total scores of the African Self-Consciousness Scale (J. A. Baldwin & Y. R. Bell, 1985). These results provide some support of the validity of the IROS.

South Asian Immigrant Women Who Have Survived Child Sexual Abuse: Resilience and Healing:

The current study is a phenomenological examination of the resilience strategies of South Asian immigrant women in the United States who survived child sexual abuse. Semistructured interviews (N = 5) and a focus group (N = 8) were analyzed to gain a deep structural understanding of participants’ experiences of child sexual abuse and resilience. Findings included four subthemes of South Asian context (strict gender socialization, maintenance of family image, influence of ethnic identity, acculturative stressors) and five subthemes of resilience strategies (use of silence, sense of hope, South Asian social support, social advocacy, intentional self-care). Research and practice implications are discussed.

Transgender Microaggressions: Complexity of the Heterogeneity of Transgender Identities

The purpose of this article is to provide a critical review of current literature regarding microaggressions against transgender persons. The authors discuss existing microaggression taxonomies for transgender populations and identify gaps in this literature. The heterogeneity of transgender identities are addressed along with microaggression experiences. The authors propose new themes that may be considered for further conceptualization, along with implications for research and practice.

Empirical Validations of a Multidimensional Model for Assessing Sexual Orientation

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to validate Chung and Katayamas (1996) multidimensional model for assessing sexual orientation. Participants included five independent samples: (1) 32 Asian American gay men; (2) 201 lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons; (3) 149 lesbian and bisexual women; (4) 103 lesbian and bisexual women; and (5) 207 lesbian and bisexual women. Respondents completed a demographic questionnaire and items assessing sexual identity and sexual orientation. Results supported the validity of the multidimensional model. Across all samples, affective and physical attractions were moderately to highly correlated, whereas attractions to men and women were relatively independent. Practical and research implications are discussed.

Acculturation Level and Internalized Homophobia of Asian American Lesbian and Bisexual Women: An Exploratory Analysis

ABSTRACT This is an exploratory study of the acculturation level and internalized homophobia of Asian American lesbian and bisexual women. Participants were 27 Asian American women self-disclosed as lesbian or bisexual. They completed a demographic sheet, the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale (SL-ASIA; Suinn et al., 1987), and the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale (LIHS; Szymanski & Chung, 2001). Results suggest that Asian-identified persons have lower levels of internalized homophobia than Western-identified persons. There were no significant differences in levels of internalized homophobia between bicultural persons and Asian or Western-identified persons. Counseling and psychological implications, future research directions, and limitations of the study are presented.

Presidential Address Immigrant Counseling Psychologists

This was a Presidential Address for the Society of Counseling Psychology delivered at the 2012 American Psychological Association Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. It was based on interviews with 10 informants, as well as my own experience, regarding our personal and professional journeys as immigrant counseling psychologists in the United States. The purpose of the presentation was to increase awareness of the obstacles, triumph, and contributions of immigrant counseling psychologists. I discussed our upbringing experience, family support for career decisions, obstacles and sources of strength, influential persons, relation between immigrant experience and work as counseling psychologists, contributions to counseling psychology, and wisdom to share with the counseling psychology profession.