Homophobia Linked to Psychological Issues, Study

A new study has linked psychoticism with homophobia, claiming homophobic people may have some psychological issues.

According to Yahoo News, the study is first to look at the mental health of homophobic people. Researchers asked 551 Italian university students to rate on five-point scale responses to statements that tested their comfort with homosexual people. The questionnaire also asked them about their attachments styles to determine how they approached relationships. A person with healthy attachment style was comfortable and secure in relationships while those insecurely attachment might avoid closeness or become too clingy.

Researchers also sought to know coping strategies the students used when they faced unpleasant or scary situations.

Using the data collected, researchers found that people with relatively better mental health, those with healthy attachment style and mature defense mechanisms, were less averse to gay people. On the other hand, those who with unhealthy attachment styles and immature defense mechanisms that led to exhibit anger and hostility were more homophobic.

"The study is opening a new research avenue, where the real disease to study is homophobia," said lead researcher Emmanuele Jannini told Live Science. Jannini is an endocrinologist and medical sexologist at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The researchers now plan to expand the study to students in Albania.

The researchers added that personality alone does not lead to cultivation of homophobia. Religion and other conservative cultural values have a big role to play.