Development and Psychometric Properties of the Evasive Attitudes of Sexual Orientation Scale (EASOS)

• Published in: Psychology of sexual orientation and gender diversity 2018-03, Vol.5 (1), p.44-56
• Main Authors: Brownfield, Jenna M., Flores, Mirella J., Morgan, Sydney K., Allen, Luke R., Marszalek, Jacob M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bisexuality; Factor Analysis; Female; Homosexuality (Attitudes Toward); Human; Lesbianism; Male; Male Homosexuality; Psychometrics; Rating Scales; Sexual Orientation; Test Construction
• ISSN: 2329-0382; 2329-0390
• DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000256

The purpose of this article was to develop and evaluate evidence for reliability and validity of a multifactor measure of evasive attitudes of sexual orientation across two studies. The Evasive Attitudes of Sexual Orientation Scale (EASOS) was inspired by Neville, Lilly, Duran, Lee, and Browne's (2000) Colorblind Racial Attitudes Scale and existing literature on contemporary homonegativism. In Study 1, data from 221 heterosexual participants were included in an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and resulted in a 3-factor solution: Institutional Heterosexism, Aversive Heterosexism, and Heterosexual Privilege, with 1 global factor of Evasive Attitudes of Sexual Orientation. Correlational analyses with the present sample revealed evidence of convergent validity and a lack of response bias. The sample for Study 2 included 270 heterosexual participants. EFA results from Study 2 confirmed the factor structure found in Study 1. Hierarchical regression was used to assess incremental validity of scores in the newly developed measure. Results indicated that the EASOS explained participants' degree of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons (LGBT) allyship better than measures of homonegativity and modern heterosexism could alone. The present findings offer initial evidence for the use of the EASOS and may be valuable for future research on contemporary homonegativism. Public Significance Statement This study provided a measurement to capture the ways heterosexual/straight people subtly and sometimes unintentionally discriminate toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) people by not recognizing the current ways heterosexism is experienced. Researchers are encouraged to consider the influence of failing to recognize the presence of institutional heterosexism, the need for further LGBQ-affirming legislation, and the continued existence of heterosexual privilege when examining modern beliefs and attitudes toward LGBQ people.