The Perceived Internalized Sexual Stigma Measure (PrISSM): A New Sexual Stigma Measure for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

Society has long held negative beliefs and attitudes, in the form of sexual stigma, towards sexual minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual; LGB). Sexual stigma can be adopted and internalized by LGB individuals as their own beliefs and attitudes. In LGB individuals, internalized sexual stigma can result in psychological distress such as low self-esteem, depression, shame, and feelings of rejection. However, an instrument to assess internalized sexual stigma specifically developed for LGB individuals is lacking. The present study focuses on the development of a new instrument, the Perceived Internalized Sexual Stigma Measure (PrISSM), that is inclusive of LGB individuals who are 18 years and older. Exploratory and Bayesian confirmatory factor analyses indicate that internalized sexual stigma, as measured by the PrISSM, consists of two factors: internal conflict and disclosure conflict. The two-factor structure is also invariant to LGB individuals. As such, items of the PrISSM do not need to be separately reworded for lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals. In addition, the PrISSM is a brief instrument composed of 4 items per factor (8 items total). Convergent and discriminant validity evidence is also provided.