Validation of the fear of intimacy scale with a lesbian and gay male population

The present study investigated the validity of the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS) with lesbians and gay men. In addition, the relationship between fear of intimacy and adult attachment style was explored. The sample consisted of 40 lesbians and 57 gay men. The FIS evidenced high internal consistency. As with primarily heterosexual populations, fear of intimacy was shown to be negatively related to self-disclosure, comfort with emotional closeness, and relationship satisfaction; the FIS was positively related to loneliness and trait anxiety. In addition, fear of intimacy was significantly related to measures of adult attachment style. Overall, the FIS was shown to be a valid, reliable, and useful measure of fear of intimacy with lesbians and gay men.