Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Vallacher, Robin

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between Action Identification and Homosexual Identity Formation. Specifically, it examines how homosexual male individuals view their actions differently when they are “in the closet” (not open about their sexual orientation) compared to being out today (open about their sexual orientation). Homosexual male participants (N=142) took an online survey containing the internalized Homophobia scale, Self-concept clarity scale, and general demographics questions and took the Behavioral Identification Form with an additional 20 items twice (BIF+). The participants were instructed first to answer the BIF+ as if they were in the closet and later took the same form as they are today, being comfortable with their sexual orientation. Using the original 25-item BIF, a paired t-test revealed a significant difference in the out-of-the-closet (M = .65, SD = .19) from the closeted (M = .60, SD =.21), t(141) = 3.3, p < .001. The effect size measured by Cohen’s d was d=.28, indicating a small effect. With the additional 20 items, a paired t-test for the BIF+ revealed a significant difference in the out-of-the-closet (M = .69, SD = .15) condition, compared to being closeted (M = .63, SD = .19), t(141) = 4.4, p<.001. The effect size, measured by Cohen’s d, was d=.37, indicating a small effect. These findings suggest that when homosexual men are closeted, they tend to view their actions at a lower level compared to when they are open about their sexual orientation.

Extent

56 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (MA)--Florida Atlantic University, 2024.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00014495

Format

pdf

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