Measuring sexual orientation of a Portuguese gay, lesbian and bisexual internet sample

Pereira, Henrique Marques; Leal, Isabel Pereira; Maroco, João

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1576

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Authors

Pereira, Henrique Marques

Leal, Isabel Pereira

Maroco, João

Abstract(s)

This article surveyed the measurement of sexual orientation of a Portuguese gay, lesbian and bisexual internet population. Total number of participants in the study who filled out the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (Portuguese version) available on the internet was 714 men and 91 women all gay, lesbian or bisexual identified (a total of 1000). This method was chosen because the internet is now an important tool used by gays, lesbians and bisexuals for socialising and to gather information. Basic ethical issues were observed namely, informed consent, maintenance of privacy and confidentiality. Key theoretical issues were addressed such as the categorisation of sexual orientation, its origins and development. Data analysis consisted of subjecting the items of the Grid to a factor analysis of principal components, internal reliabilities by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α=.94), frequency analysis and comparisons between temporal dimensions (present, past, and ideal). The results indicate that sexual orientation is a dynamic process and can be subject to change, when subjected to temporal analysis. The implications of such results are also discussed.