Psychosocial factors in admitting to homosexuality in sexually transmitted disease clinics

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that predict nonadmission of homosexual orientation in public and private clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in Sweden, Finland, Ireland, and Australia. Results from 604 respondents indicate that nonadmitters in all four countries are likely to conceal their orientation from most people, to expect the most negative reaction to their homosexuality, to believe in more conservative sex roles for males and females, to report themselves as more bisexual, to have had no previous sexually transmitted infections, and to have had worse relationships with their mother during adolescence than admitters. Men who attend private clinics are usually older, more conservative, of higher social class, and have had more negative reactions to their homosexuality from others. These data suggest that nonadmitters are most likely to be reassured by empathy and, particularly, explicit discussion of and expressed acceptance of homosexuality and bisexuality, reiteration of confidentiality. and avoidance of questions that assume the sex of partner. Thus, manipulation of the clinic environment may help to decrease the number of individuals who do not admit to sexual contacts with members of the same sex.