from Reprint/Synopsis Series

Author Esther D. Rothblum noted that "Researchers are understandably reluctant to focus on mental health problems of an already stigmatized population. In fact, the history of pathologizing homosexuality is recent enough to have affected the training of most mental health professionals who are currently practicing."

Rothblum surveys the recent history of pathology involving homosexuality (1994 and before) and notes that "Public attitudes toward lesbians and gay men are extremely negative and did not improve in the years immediately following the removal of homosexuality as a diagnostic category from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ..."

Furthermore, "A survey of 2,500 members of the American Psychiatric Association (Time, 1978, as cited by Marmor, 1980) found that the majority of members considered homosexuality pathological and also perceived homosexuals to be less happy and less capable of mature and loving relationships than heterosexuals."

Rothblum notes several difficulties and possibilities in doing research on the mental health of gays and lesbians. She observes that there is a problem with defining sexual orientation. Should it be on a sexual continuum? Should it be considered a choice or beginning at birth or early childhood? She notes that "In general, lesbians tend to view sexual orientation as a political choice, whereas gay men are more likely to have an essentialist perspective." A survey in 1987, for example, found that 63% of lesbians said they had chosen to be lesbians; 28% felt they had no choice; 11% did not know why they were lesbians.

According to Rothblum (at the time of her writing), "There is no universal agreement on the terminology related to sexual orientation." Researchers must determine how they will define this term and then devise research surveys to target specific groups. One model of sexual orientation formation includes: sexual identity; sexual behavior; and community participation in gay communities.

Rothblum recommends that researchers pick one of three groups to study: those who have membership in gay and lesbian groups; those who self-identify as gay or lesbian; and those who are involved in same-sex acts.

In her "Summary and Recommendations," Rothblum asks the question: "Given the recent history of pathology of homosexuality, what are some ways to advance a lesbian and gay-affirmative psychology?"

She suggests that in the training of mental health professionals, teachers and supervisors should choose textbooks that expand the discussion of homosexuality outside of discussions of pathology. Gay and lesbian issues should be dealt with in every subject--assessment, psychotherapy, aging, public health, and ethnic minority psychology.

Second, psychologists should conduct non-heterosexist research involving homosexuals. She urges psychologists to avoid the "bias of compulsory heterosexuality."

If researchers conduct their studies with these principles in mind, they "will not only improve the services for these populations but serve to affirm the lesbian and gay experience as a model for positive mental health."

Updated: 8 February 2008

Join us at the next NARTH Training Institute and Convention in beautiful Denver, Colorado on November 7, 8, and 9, 2008.

Click here for a schedule of events or to register!