Fear of AIDS and Homophobia Scales: additional estimates of reliability and validity

Abstract

Psychometric properties of the Fear of AIDS Scale and the Homophobia Scale from 85 heterosexual undergraduates (and 44 gay, lesbian, and bisexual undergraduates) were estimated. Responses on the Homophobia Scale were internally consistent (alpha = .88), had 4% standard error of measurement, and scores differed by subjects' sexual orientation. Responses to Fear of AIDS Scale were moderately internally consistent (alpha = .75), had 12% standard error, and were significantly different for the two groups. Scores on the tests were correlated .66. Researchers must assess the relationship between scores on these measures.