ACHILLES PARADOX: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNALISED HOMOPHOBIA, RELIGIOSITY AND SELF CONCEPT

Abstract

Internalized homophobia, which stems from societal negativity towards non-heteronormative sexualities, poses a significant psychological challenge within the LGBTQ+ community, especially in contexts influenced by deep-rooted religious and cultural norms. The current study examines the relationships between internalized homophobia, religiosity, and self- concept in LGB individuals. The study included a sample of 40 individuals selected through snowball sampling from urban cities. Standardized tools including the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS), Internalized Homophobia Scale (IHS), and Personal Self-Concept (PSC) Questionnaire were used to measure the key variables. The study found a statistically significant positive correlation between internalized homophobia and religiosity, indicating that higher religiosity is associated with greater internalized homophobia among individuals. However, contrary to expectations, no significant correlations were found between religiosity and self-concept, or between internalized homophobia and self-concept. Regression analysis showed that religiosity explained 12.3% of the variation in internalized homophobia. These results highlight how religiosity plays a significant role in molding internalized homophobia, emphasizing the necessity for focused interventions in religious settings to combat discrimination and promote greater acceptance and understanding.