Disgust sensitivity mediates the link between homophobia and sexual orientation obsessive-compulsive symptoms

ABSTRACT

Previous research has shown that intrusive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often focus on emotionally significant aspects of individuals’ lives (e.g., values and beliefs). The current study sought to expand our understanding of OC symptoms related to sexual orientation (SO-OC symptoms) by investigating the roles of homophobia (i.e., negative attitudes, affect, and behaviors toward individuals with a same-gender orientation) and disgust propensity and sensitivity. A total of 592 self-identified heterosexual college students were recruited to complete measures of homophobia, disgust propensity and sensitivity, and SO-OC symptoms. Results of separate parallel mediation analyses indicated that the relationships between homophobic affect/attitudes and avoidance/aggression on one hand, and SO-OC symptoms on the other, were partially mediated specifically by disgust sensitivity, after controlling for gender. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, including how homophobia can be conceptualized as a disgust response in the treatment of SO-OC symptoms, as well as how other constructs of potential interest (sexual and moral disgust, religiosity, conservative sexual ideology) can be examined in future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Disgust sensitivity
• homophobia
• sexual orientation
• obsessive-compulsive symptoms

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Alexis Collins, B.A., for her assistance in preparation of materials for IRB submission.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethics statement

All procedures stipulated within this research complied with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.