Introduction Homophobic behavior and a negative attitude toward homosexuals are prevalent among the population. Despite this, few researches have investigated the psychologic aspects associated with homophobia, as psychopathologic symptoms, the defensive system, and attachment styles. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the psychologic factors mentioned earlier and their correlation with homophobia. Methods Five hundred fifty-one university students recruited, aged 18–30, were asked to complete several psychometric evaluation. Main Outcome Measures In particular, Homophobia Scale (HS) was used to assess homophobia levels, the Symptoms Check List Revised (SCL-90-R) for the identification of psychopathologic symptoms, the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) for the evaluation of defense mechanisms and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) for attachment styles. Results After a regression analysis, we found a significant predictive value of psychoticism (β = 0.142; P = 0.04) and of immature defense mechanisms (β = 0.257; P < 0.0001) for homophobia, while neurotic defense mechanisms (β = −0.123; P = 0.02) and depressive symptoms (β = −0.152; P = 0.04) have an opposite role. Moreover, categorical constructs of the RQ revealed a significant difference between secure and fearful attachments styles in levels of homophobia (secure = 22.09 ± 17.22 vs. fearful = 31.07 ± 25.09; P < 0.05). Finally, a gender difference to HS scores and a significant influence of male sex was found (β = 0.213; P < 0.0001). Conclusions We demonstrated the involvement of psychoticism and immature defense mechanisms in homophobic attitudes, while a contrasting role is played by neurotic defense mechanisms and depressive symptoms. Moreover, secure attachment is an indicator of low levels of homophobia compared with the subjects demonstrating a fearful style of attachment. Hence, in the assessment of homophobia and in the relevant programs of prevention, it is necessary to consider the psychologic aspects described earlier.

This study revealed that in these European countries assessed, attitudes toward homosexuality are different. Ukrainians display higher levels of homophobia than Albanians and Italians, confirming the central role of cultural differences in homophobic attitudes. Nevertheless, some socio-demographic aspects such as identification as male have a similar influence on homophobic attitudes in all assessed populations.

IntroductionThe Homophobia Scale (HS) is a valid tool to assess homophobia. This test is self-reporting, composed of 25 items, which assesses a total score and three factors linked to homophobia: behavior/negative affect, affect/behavioral aggression, and negative cognition.AimThe aim of this study was to validate the HS in the Italian context.MethodsAn Italian translation of the HS was carried out by two bilingual people, after which an English native translated the test back into the English language. A psychologist and sexologist checked the translated items from a clinical point of view. We recruited 100 subjects aged18–65 for the Italian validation of the HS. The Pearson coefficient and Cronbach's α coefficient were performed to test the test–retest reliability and internal consistency.Main Outcome MeasuresA sociodemographic questionnaire including the main information as age, geographic distribution, partnership status, education, religious orientation, and sex orientation was administrated together with the translated version of HS.ResultsThe analysis of the internal consistency showed an overall Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.92. In the four domains, the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.90 in behavior/negative affect, 0.94 in affect/behavioral aggression, and 0.92 in negative cognition, whereas in the total score was 0.86. The test–retest reliability showed the following results: the HS total score was r = 0.93 (P < 0.0001), behavior/negative affect was r = 0.79 (P < 0.0001), affect/behavioral aggression was r = 0.81 (P < 0.0001), and negative cognition was r = 0.75 (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe Italian validation of the HS revealed the use of this self-report test to have good psychometric properties. This study offers a new tool to assess homophobia. In this regard, the HS can be introduced into the clinical praxis and into programs for the prevention of homophobic behavior.

This study investigated the relationship between sleep duration and academic performance among Ukrainian students of veterinary. A cross-sectional design was used. The biodata paper and self-administered questionnaire of Vasserman P.P. were administered to first-year through third-year students at an University of Podillya (Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ukraine). Questionnaires were completed by 110 student veterinarians from 19 to 22 years old. More than 80% of student veterinarians obtained less than 7 hours of sleep at night during a typical academic week. 79% of students sleep for 1-2 hours every day during the daytime. Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher level of neuroticism, headache, sleepiness, tremor, depression, scarce memory, apathy, diarrhea, diarrhea, distraction, and other. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) report majority of student veterinarians had inadequate durations of sleep, defined as fewer than 7 hours while the sleep range in younger adults  is 7-9 hours. Insufficient sleep duration was associated with student health problems, scarce academic performances, asocial characteristics and evident tendency to antisocial behavior.

This study describes the development and implications of the Pedophilophobia Scale in Ukrainian language, designed to detect the cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of phobia towards pedophiles in Ukrainian simple. The participants (n=40 for the trial test–retest and n=400 for test–retest reliability) were students from a large Podillia Ukrainian States university. The Scale represents the 25 Likert-type items questionnaire consisting of three factors: a factor that assesses mainly negative cognitions regarding pedophilia, a factor that assess primarily negative affect and avoidance of pedophile individuals, and a factor that assesses negative affect and aggression toward pedophile individuals. The scale was created on base of the Homophobia Scale and the concurrent validity was established according the IHP. The steps of Scale improvement and validation of the results are discussed. Study results suggest that the PPS may be used in forensic psychological and phobia assessment settings.