Chinese Internalized Binegativity Scale (CIBS)

Abstract

The Chinese Internalized Binegativity Scale (CIBS), developed by Wei and Israel in 2023, is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to measure internalized binegativity (IB) among bisexual individuals residing in key Chinese cultural regions, specifically Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The development process involved a rigorous cultural adaptation and translation of items derived initially from the U.S.-developed Bisexual Identity Inventory (Paul et al., 2014). This foundation was enriched by novel items generated through existing scholarly literature and in-depth interviews conducted with twelve participants—six bisexual experts and six bisexual laypersons—from the targeted Chinese cultural contexts.

The scale consists of 25 items structured across a robust six-factor measurement model identified through factor analysis. These six distinct factors are: Illegitimacy, Monosexism, Aversion, Irresponsibility, Family Shame, and Identity Affirmation. The CIBS utilizes both simplified Chinese characters for Mainland China and traditional characters for Hong Kong and Taiwan, ensuring cultural relevance and accessibility. Validation studies confirmed the scale’s strong psychometric properties, including high reliability and significant convergent and predictive validity measures.

Keywords

Aversion, Family Shame, Identity Affirmation, Illegitimacy, Internalized Binegativity, Irresponsibility, Monosexism, Bisexuality, Psychometrics, Cultural Adaptation

Authors

Chongzheng Wei, Tania Israel

Purpose

The primary purpose of the CIBS is to provide a culturally sensitive and psychometrically sound tool for researchers and clinicians to quantify the degree of internalized negative attitudes and beliefs specifically related to being bisexual within Chinese cultural contexts. This measurement is crucial for understanding the mental health challenges and unique experiences faced by bisexual individuals in these regions, who often navigate biphobia from both heterosexual and monosexual LGBQ+ communities.

By assessing six distinct dimensions of internalized binegativity, the scale allows for nuanced analysis of how societal and familial pressures manifest internally, thereby guiding targeted interventions and advocacy efforts within East Asian psychological research.

Construct

The CIBS measures Internalized Binegativity (IB), which is the internalization of societal and cultural prejudice (binegativity or biphobia) specifically targeting bisexual identity. This construct is operationalized through a 25-item, six-factor model, reflecting various facets of self-rejection and negative self-perception related to one’s bisexuality. The six measured subscales are:

• Illegitimacy: Reflects beliefs that bisexuality is invalid, temporary, or a form of denial (e.g., “just a phase”).
• Monosexism: The internalized desire or preference for monosexual identification (gay or straight) over embracing a bisexual identity.
• Aversion: Measures feelings of guilt, shame, or self-disgust concerning one’s bisexual identity.
• Irresponsibility: Pertains to internalized negative stereotypes suggesting that bisexual people are inherently untrustworthy, greedy, or incapable of loyalty.
• Family Shame: Assesses the anxiety and perception that one’s bisexuality or having a same-gender partner brings dishonor or disappointment to the family unit, reflecting strong cultural emphasis on filial piety.
• Identity Affirmation: (A positive factor, often reverse-scored) Measures the extent of pride, acceptance, and positive feelings toward one’s bisexual identity.

Validity

The CIBS demonstrated strong evidence for both convergent and predictive validity, supporting its ability to measure the intended construct and correlate logically with related outcomes.

In terms of Convergent Validity, the CIBS subscale and total scores showed significant correlations with established measures of sexual orientation adjustment. Specifically, scores were positively correlated with internalized homophobia (r = .29–.50, p < .001) and private collective self-esteem (r = −.26 to .64, p < .001). The Identity Affirmation factor displayed reversed correlations, as expected for a positive measure within a scale primarily assessing negativity. These observed effect sizes were distributed across the small to large range (Cohen, 1992).

Regarding Predictive Validity, all CIBS subscales were significantly correlated with “outness,” indicating that internalized binegativity is related to the degree to which individuals disclose their sexual orientation (r = −.12 to .32, small to medium effect sizes). Furthermore, four of the six CIBS subscales (excluding Identity Affirmation and Illegitimacy) were significantly associated with increased symptoms of depression, exhibiting small but meaningful effect sizes (r = .12–.24).

Reliability

The CIBS exhibited excellent internal consistency, confirming that the items within each factor reliably measure the same underlying construct. Cronbach’s α estimates for the factors ranged from .76 to .91, indicating robust reliability across the scale. Further statistical confirmation was provided by Omega (ω) estimates, which also demonstrated strong consistency, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91.

Factor Analysis

Both Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed during the scale development, confirming the hypothesized six-factor structure. The final measurement model consists of 25 items loading distinctly onto the six identified factors. Factor determinacy values for these factors were consistently high, ranging from .92 to .97, suggesting high precision in factor score estimation.

The 25-item, six-factor model demonstrated a strong model fit in the CFA, adhering to stringent statistical guidelines (Hu & Bentler, 1999). Key fit indices met established criteria: CFI and TLI index values were >.95, the RMSEA value was <.06, and the SRMR value was <.08. Specifically, the CFA results reported a strong fit (χ2=397.458, p < .001, df = 260, CFI=.95, TLI=.95, RMSEA [90% CI]= .039 [.031, .047], SRMR= .06). Additionally, analysis using a bifactor model supported the applicability of the CIBS within the context of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and ensured the interpretability of overall scale scores (χ2=362.180, p < .001, df=250, CFI=.96, TLI=.96, RMSEA [90% CI]= .036 [.028, .044], SRMR= .06).

Instrument

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire

Format: Each item is measured on a 7-point response scale (anchored by 1 = strongly disagree and 7 = strongly agree). The administration method utilized during development was electronic.

Language Available: Chinese (using both simplified characters for Mainland China and traditional characters for Hong Kong and Taiwan).

Population Group: Human; targeted specifically at bisexual individuals regardless of gender identity (Male, Female, Transgender).

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years and older), including Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs), Thirties (30-39 yrs), and Middle Age (40-64 yrs).

Population Details: Respondents were bisexual individuals residing across the Chinese cultural regions of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The sample included diverse gender identities such as Women, Men, Bisexual, Gender Nonbinary, Transgender, and Other.

Test Methodology: Test Validity (Convergent Validity, Predictive Validity), Test Reliability (Internal Consistency), Factor Analysis (Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis).

Keywords

Chinese Culture, Biphobia, Internalized Stigma, Psychological Measurement, Sexual Identity, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5992-1689 (Chongzheng Wei)

Affiliation Email addresses: Chongzheng Wei: [email protected]; Tania Israel: No data is available.

Correspondence Address: University of California, Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology, 18 Ocean Road, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93117

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: The scale may be used freely for Research or Teaching purposes.

Fee: No fee is required for use.

Commercial: Not permitted for commercial use.

Test Year: 2023.

Reference’s

Wei, C., & Israel, T. (2023). The Chinese Internalized Binegativity Scale: Measure development and cultural adaptation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70(6), 657–670. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000707

Items of the Chinese Internalized Binegativity Scale (CIBS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

This measure includes 25 items, structured around six factors:

• Illegitimacy
• Monosexism
• Aversion
• Irresponsibility
• Family shame
• Identity affirmation

The specific test items are available in the supplemental material and Table 1, Page 7 of the source reference (2024-00290-001).

I. Illegitimacy 不合理

1. Being bisexual is trying to avoid being gay.
   双性恋是在逃避成为同性恋

2. Bisexuality is just a phase.
   双性恋只是一个阶段

3. Bisexual individuals are in denial about being gay.
   双性恋的人是在否认自己是同性恋

4. Bisexuals are gay people who are too afraid to come out.
   双性恋是不敢出柜的同性恋

II. Monosexism 单性恋主义

1. I wish I could focus my sexual and romantic attractions on only one gender.
   我希望可以把自己的性欲和情感都转向一个性别

2. I would be better off if I identified as gay or straight, rather than bisexual.
   如果我认同为同性恋或异性恋而不是双性恋, 我会过得更好

3. It is a burden that I am attracted to people of more than one gender.
   受到不止一种性别的人的吸引对我是一种负担

4. I wish I could be attracted to only one gender.
   我希望可以只喜欢单一性别

III. Aversion 厌恶

1. I think I am filthy because I am attracted to people of different genders.
   我因为可以喜欢不同性别的人而觉得自己肮脏

2. I feel ashamed that I am bisexual.
   我因为自己是双性恋而感到羞耻

3. I feel guilty about being bisexual.
   我因为自己是双性恋而感到内疚

4. I feel awkward because of being bisexual.
   我因为自己是双性恋而感到尴尬

IV. Irresponsibility 不负责

1. Bisexuals are greedy.
   双性恋是贪心的

2. Bisexuals are untrustworthy.
   双性恋不值得信任

3. Bisexuals will betray the sexual minority community.
   双性恋会背叛性少数社群

4. Bisexuals cannot be loyal to only one partner.
   双性恋不能只忠于一个伴侣

5. Bisexuals set feet on both boats.
   双性恋会脚踏两条船

V. Family shame 家庭耻辱

1. I would let my family down if I have a same-gender partner.
   如果我有一个同性伴侣, 则会让家人失望

2. Being bisexual brings shame to my family.
   我是双性恋会给我的家人丢脸

3. Having a same-gender partner would bring shame to my family.
   拥有一个同性伴侣会让人感到羞耻

VI. Identity affirmation 身份认同

1. I am proud to be bisexual.
   我因为是双性恋而感到骄傲

2. I feel fortunate to be a bisexual.
   我庆幸自己是双性恋

3. I like myself as a bisexual.
   我喜欢自己是双性恋

4. I am accepting of my bisexuality.
   我接纳自己是双性恋

5. I appreciate my bisexuality.
   我感激自己的双性恋身份

Note. Each item is measured on a 7-point response scale with only the anchors at each end labeled (1 = strongly disagree and 7 = strongly agree).