HENRIQUE PEREIRA (*)

ISABEL PEREIRA LEAL (**)

RESUMO

Este artigo tem como objectivo fornecer um enquadramento explicativo do modo como os indivíduos que se identificam como homossexuais constroem a sua identidade e como a construção de uma identidade positivatem implicações para a saúde. É apresentado um modelo de construção da identidade homossexual baseado em sete fases: a (in)compatibilidade na compreensão dos papéis sexuais sociais, o reconhecimento da diferença, a confusão identitária, a tolerância identitária, a aceitação privada, a aceitação privada e integrada e a abertura total. São também exploradas as implicações de uma construção positiva da identidade para a saúde física e psicológica, bem como os determinantes a ela associadas. Procurando dar corpo metodológico a este objectivo, delineou-se uma investigação com a participação de 805 indivíduos que responderam ao questionário de identidade homossexual. Dos resultados obtidos, verificaram-se como determinantes correlacionados com uma boa construção da identidade, as seguintes variáveis: “apoio dos amigos”, “força do self”, “auto-estima”, “número de parceiros”, “qualidade de relacionamentos”, “gratificação sexual” e “discriminação indirecta”. Apresentaram-se negativamente correlacionadas as seguintes variáveis: “apoio familiar”, “discriminação directa”, “preocupações com a saúde” e “afiliação religiosa/ideológica”.

Palavras-chave: Identidade homossexual, determinantes, saúde.

ABSTRACT

This article aims to supply an explanatory framework to the manner self-identified homosexual individuals form their identity, and how a positive formation has direct implication to physical and psychological health. A model of homosexual identity is presented based on seven phases: (in)compatibility of understanding social sexual role, recognition of being different, identity confusion, identity tolerance, private acceptance, private and integrated acceptance, and total disclosure. Implications for physical and psychological health derived from a positive identity formation are also explored. 805 individuals participated in the study by answering to the homosexual identity questionnaire. From the results obtained, correlated to a positive identity formation are: “support of friends”, “strength of self”, “self-esteem”, “number of partners”, “quality of relationships”, “sexual gratification”, and “indirect discrimination”. The following presented negative correlations: “support of relatives”, “direct discrimination”, “health concerns”, and “religious/ideological affiliation”.

Key words: Homosexual identity, determinants, health.

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(*) Universidade da Beira Interior.

(**) Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Lisboa.