What is it about?
The present study describes the development and validation of the Asexual Stigma Inventory (ASI). This scale addresses limitations in the literature related to measuring stigmatizing experiences of asexual adults. After an initial exploratory factor analysis (Sample 1: N = 246), the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (Sample 2: N = 400) supported the proposed model consisting of two first-order factors (belongingness and dismissiveness stigma). The results of the present study provide initial evidence to support the view that the ASI is a psychometrically sound, brief measure of two factors associated with stigmatizing experiences faced by asexual individuals.
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Why is it important?
The ASI is a psychometrically sound instrument, according to study results, and it has good factorial validity, as evidenced by a good model fit and schematic structure. Future research is still needed to assess the predictive validity of this scale. However, the ASI provides counselors with a method to measure stigmatizing experiences that asexual people face. This is a crucial step because of the limited amount of research on instruments related to asexual individuals and the stigmatizing experiences they face. As children and adolescents increasingly self-identify as asexual (The Trevor Project,2020) and the number of people identifying as asexual rises, this scale is timely and relevant to the counseling profession. The ASI has the potential to be used by counselors, educators, and researchers to more competently provide services to asexual individuals by understanding the stigmatizing experiences they go through, which may negatively influence mental health as it does with other sexual minority individuals.
Perspectives
This article is especially meaningful to me because it introduces a tool designed to measure the unique stigma experienced by asexual individuals. Developing the Asexual Stigma Inventory is a crucial step toward recognizing and addressing the discrimination faced by this often-overlooked community. By providing a way to assess stigma, this work can inform future research and interventions aimed at promoting greater understanding, acceptance, and support for asexual people.
Dr. Jared William Boot-Haury
Palo Alto University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Development of the Asexual Stigma Inventory, Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, August 2023, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/26924951.2023.2202354.
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