(PS6-48) Straight Outta Repression: How Internalized Homophobia and Masculinity Produce Predators

Saturday, November 22, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST

Location: Elite Hall A, Level 1

Author(s)

SW

Shonette Walker, B.A.

Assistant Researcher/Student
Hunter College, City University of New York
Laurelton, New York, United States
AS

Ash M. Smith, M.A.

Doctoral Student Researcher
Hunter College, City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Danielle S. Berke, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Psychology
Hunter College, City University of New York
NYC, NY, United States

Abstract Text: Internalized homophobia, masculinity-related stress, and hypermasculinity are well-established drivers of violence. Virtually no research exists on internalized homophobia and violence perpetrated by heterosexual men. The fluidity and complexity of sexual orientation, gender norms, and attraction make the exclusion of heterosexual men from studies on internalized homophobia and violence a significant oversight in the field of psychology. The current study leveraged discrepant reports between self-reported sexual orientation and same-gender arousal responses to measure internalized homophobia, modeling its contribution to sexual violence perpetration via masculine socialization processes. Heterosexual men who reported same-gender arousal (N = 87) were propensity matched to men who reported arousal only in response to women. A structural equation model specified and estimated pathways between arousal, male gender role discrepancy stress, hypermasculinity, and sexual violence perpetrated against women. Although internalized homophobia did not directly predict sexual violence perpetration, results revealed a significant, positive indirect effect (β = 0.047, p < .0.001) on sexual violence perpetration through male gender role discrepancy stress and hypermasculinity. The total effect (β = 0.152, p < .0.021) was also significant. Results suggest that sexual arousal incongruent with hegemonic masculinity induces stress. This stress then drives hypermasculine behaviors as a maladaptive coping mechanism, contributing to sexual violence. These findings challenge the traditional view that internalized homophobia is exclusive to LGBTQ+ individuals and highlight its potential downstream impact on violence against women. Reliance on self-reported data may have underestimated rates of discrepant same-gender arousal and sexual violence perpetration, and the cross-sectional study design prevented causal inference. Additional research on internalized homophobia in heterosexual populations, and societal pressures to conform to masculine norms and behaviors is warranted to inform violence prevention efforts.