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The hostile‐world scenario among I sraeli homosexual adolescents and young adults
Author(s) -
Shenkman Geva,
Shmotkin Dov
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/jasp.12097
Subject(s) - psychology , lesbian , stressor , vulnerability (computing) , mental health , homosexuality , sexual orientation , social psychology , face (sociological concept) , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , sociology , social science , computer security , computer science , psychoanalysis
This study identified relevant themes within the hostile‐world scenario ( HWS ) concept among lesbian and gay adolescents and young adults. The HWS refers to an image of major threats to one's physical and mental integrity, and thus presents a meaningful structure of stressors that may be particularly aggravated among stigmatized minorities. An Israeli sample of 219 homosexuals (136 men, 83 women; mean age 20.9) was compared with 219 matched heterosexuals. Results showed gays and lesbians as more concerned with HWS themes of victimization (by crime and discrimination), lack of social and family support, poor health condition, disrupted relationships, and aging. This study specifies ingredients of vulnerability among homosexuals in face of challenging life conditions.