Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale (SOCS)
6-item measure of active concealment behaviors of sexual orientation
Jackson & Mohr (2016). A 6-item self-report measure of active concealment behaviors of sexual orientation over the past 2 weeks. 5-point Likert (1-5), higher mean = more frequent concealment. ~2-3 minutes. Single factor, alpha = .77-.79.
What Is the Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale (SOCS)?
The Sexual Orientation Concealment Scale (SOCS), developed by Jackson & Mohr (2016), is a 6-item self-report measure of active concealment behaviors related to sexual orientation over the past two weeks.
What It Measures
The SOCS captures the frequency of behavioral concealment strategies used by LGB individuals, including:
- Hiding one's sexual orientation from others
- Avoiding conversations about romantic relationships
- Modifying behavior to appear heterosexual
- Denying or downplaying one's sexual orientation
Scoring
Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1=Not at All → 5=Very Often). The total score is the mean of all 6 items. Higher mean scores indicate more frequent concealment behavior.
Psychometric Properties
The SOCS demonstrates good reliability (α = .77–.79) and a unidimensional factor structure.
Reference
Jackson, S. D., & Mohr, J. J. (2016). Conceptualizing the closet: Differentiating stigma concealment and disclosure. *Sex Roles*, 74(9), 409–421.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 6 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed instantly on screen. No account, email, or login required.