A mixture model to assess perception of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation for policy considerations

The paper explores the relationships between subjective and contextual covariates as determinants of discrimination perception in a large sample survey. A modelling approach is implemented to detect the perception of discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation through expressed ratings, in a cross-country perspective. Exploiting the capabilities of a mixture model, which interprets ordinal evaluations as the combined results of two latent components, the cognitive process of selection among discrete ordered alternatives is discussed in terms of attractiveness towards the item and uncertainty in the response pattern. Gender, age and political orientation turn out to be significant variables at the individual level. Furthermore, the ILGA country score and education level, as contextual variables, exert prominent effects at country level. Empirical evidence from the Special Eurobarometer 2015 on Opinions as well as a simulation experiment support the usefulness of the approach.