Internalized Homonegativity and the Double Bind for Lesbians: Those with Higher Need Perceive More Barriers to Mental Health Treatment

Abstract

This research uses internalized homonegativity (IH) to understand factors influencing mental health treatment need and treatment seeking in self-identified lesbians (N = 223). Results indicated that IH has significant negative associations with social support, psychological, and social well-being. At the same time, IH has significant positive connections to perceived treatment barriers specifically related to sexual orientation. The authors assert that this can result in a “double bind” for lesbians with high IH, where they perceive treatment need, yet experience their lesbianism as a barrier to accessing help. Implications for counselors, as well as study limitations and suggestions for future research, are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• internalized homonegativity
• treatment
• barriers
• lesbians
• mental health