Index of Homophobia scale

Index of Homophobia (Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals)‌

WENDELL A. RICKETTS AND WALTER W. HUDSON,1, 2 WALMYR Publishing Co.

The Index of Homophobia (IHP) is a short-form scale designed to measure homophobic versus nonhomophobic attitudes (the fear of being in close quarters with homosexuals).

Description

The IHP contains 25 category-partition (Likert-type) items, some of which are worded negatively to partially offset the potential for response-set bias. Each item is scored on a relative frequency scale as shown in the scoring key of the instrument. Obtained scores range from 0 to 100 where higher scores indicate greater degrees of homophobia. The IHP has a cutting score of 50, such that scores above that value indicate the presence of an increasingly homophobic attitude toward human sexual expression, whereas scores below that value indicate the presence of an increasing non- homophobic orientation. A score of 0 represents the most nonhomophobic position, and a score of 100 represents the most homophobic position. The IHP can be used with all English-speaking populations aged 12 or older.

The readability statistics for the IHP are Flesch Reading Ease: 68, Gunning’s Fog Index: 10, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 7.

Response Mode and Timing

The IHP is normally completed in 5–7 minutes.

Scoring

Items 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 24 must first be reverse-scored by subtracting the item response from K+1 where K is the number of response categories in the scoring key. After making all appropriate item reversals, compute the total score as S = (ΣXi–N)(100) / [(K-1)N] where X is an item response, i is item, K is the number of response categories, and N is the number of properly completed items. Total scores remain valid in the face of missing values (omitted items) provided the respondent completes at least 80% of the items. The effect of the scoring formula is to replace missing values with the mean item response

value so that scores range from 0 to 100 regardless of the value of N.

Reliability

Cronbach’s alpha = .90, and the SEM = 4.43. Test-retest reliability is not available.

Validity

Known groups validity is not available for the IHP scale. Detailed information about content, factorial, and con- struct validity is reported in the WALMYR Assessment Scale Scoring Manual which is available from the publisher.

Other Information

The proper use of the Walmyr assessment scales is easily mastered, and the scales can be readily understood by qualified professional practitioners. These measurement tools are not intended for use by untrained individuals. The scales are simple, powerful devices that, when used by trained professionals, are capable of revealing both minor and serious problems that individuals might have in many areas of personal and social functioning. They are not intended for use by persons who are not trained to deal with such problems and should be used only by competent professionals, researchers, scholars and those who are engaged in supervised study and training.

The IHP is a copyrighted commercial assessment scale and may not be copied, reproduced, altered, or translated into other languages. The scale may not be administered online nor placed on a website for others to use. It may be purchased in tear-off pads of 50 copies each for $22.50 at www.walmyr.com.

Address correspondence to WALMYR Publishing Co., P.O. Box 12217, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2217; e-mail: [email protected]

Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals (IAH)

Name:                                                  Today’s Date:                                            

This questionnaire is designed to measure the way you feel about working or associating with homosexuals. It is not a test, so there are no right or wrong answers. Answer each item as carefully and as accurately as you can by placing a number beside each one as follows.

1 = Strongly agree 2 = Agree

3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Disagree

5 = Strongly disagree

1.         I would feel comfortable working closely with a male homosexual.

2.         I would enjoy attending social functions at which homosexuals were present.

3.         I would feel uncomfortable if I learned that my neighbor was homosexual.

4.         If a member of my sex made a sexual advance toward me I would feel angry.

5.         I would feel comfortable knowing that I was attractive to members of my sex.

6.         I would feel uncomfortable being seen in a gay bar.

7.         I would feel comfortable if a member of my sex made an advance toward me.

8.         I would be comfortable if I found myself attracted to a member of my sex.

9.         I would feel disappointed if I learned that my child was homosexual.

10.         I would feel nervous being in a group of homosexuals.

11.         I would feel comfortable knowing that my clergyman was homosexual.

12.         I would be upset if learned that my brother or sister was homosexual.

13.         I would feel that I had failed as a parent if I learned that my child was gay.

14.         If I saw two men holding hands in public I would feel disgusted.

15.         If a member of my sex made an advance toward me I would be offended.

16.         I would feel comfortable if I learned that my daughter’s teacher was a lesbian.

17.         I would feel uncomfortable if I learned that my spuse or partner was attracted to members of his or her sex.

18.         I would feel at ease talking with a homosexual person at a party.

19.         I would feel uncomfortable if I learned that my boss was homosexual.

20.         It would not bother me to walk through a predominantly gay section of town.

21.         It would disturb me to find out that my doctor was homosexual.

22.         I would feel comfortable if I learned that my best friend of my sex was homosexual.

23.         If a member of my sex made an advance toward me I would feel flattered.

24.         I would feel uncomfortable knowing that my son’s male teacher was homosexual.

25.         I would feel comfortable working closely with a female homosexual.

Note. 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 24 are reverse scored.

References