First Item Response Theory Analysis: A New Measure of Perceived Discrimination for Sexual-Minority Latinas

• In Event: Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Innovative Directions in Cultural Diversity

Abstract

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a new measure of perceived discrimination for sexual minority Latinas (SMLs). Item response theory (IRT) results revealed SMLs found it easier to endorse that they had experienced unfair treatment or discrimination due to their sexual orientation (OD) at work, by their partner’s family, at social agencies, and government agencies as compared to their race (RD) or being a woman (WD) in these contexts. This may mean that occurrences of these types of discrimination may be more prevalent in these areas due to sexual orientation as compared to race or being a woman. Negative correlations were observed between OD subscale scores and RD and WD subscale scores, which was consistent with the IRT results.

Authors

• David Little II, University of Kentucky

• Michael Toland, University of Kentucky

• Alejandro Morales