Disclosure, minority stress, and mental health among bisexual, pansexual, and queer (Bi+) adults: The roles of primary sexual identity and multiple sexual identity label use.

Abstract

Bisexual people are at increased risk for anxiety and depression compared with heterosexual and gay/ lesbian people, but little is known about people who use other labels to describe attractions to more than one gender (e.g., pansexual, queer; collectively biþ). In addition, some people use more than one label to describe their sexual orientation, but research has yet to examine whether using one versus multiple labels is associated with identity-related experiences or mental health. To address these gaps, we explored potential differences in disclosure, minority stress, and mental health among biþ adults based on primary sexual identity and multiple label use. As part of a larger project, 669 biþ adults completed an online survey. Primary sexual identities included bisexual (53.2%), pansexual (26.3%), and queer (20.5%), and 55.2% used multiple labels. Compared with bisexual participants, pansexual participants reported higher disclosure, discrimination from heterosexual people, and depression. Pansexual participants also reported higher anxiety and lower internalized binegativity, but these associations became nonsignificant after adjusting for demographics. Queer participants reported higher disclosure, discrimination from heterosexual people, and anxiety, but only the difference in disclosure remained significant in adjusted analyses. Finally, participants who used multiple labels reported higher disclosure and discrimination from heterosexual and gay/lesbian people, but only the difference in discrimination from gay/lesbian people remained significant in adjusted analyses. Findings highlight the heterogeneity of biþ individuals and the importance of considering bisexual, pansexual, and queer individuals as unique groups as well as considering whether biþ individuals use one or multiple sexual identity labels. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that there may be important differences among subgroups of biþ individuals based on their primary sexual identity (bisexual, pansexual, or queer) and whether they use one or multiple sexual identity labels. Pansexual individuals appear to be at particular risk for discrimination and depression, and biþ individuals who use multiple sexual identity labels may also be at risk for discrimination. These findings highlight the importance of assessing sexual identity in ways that attend to the diverse range of biþ identities as well as the use of multiple labels.

“In order to be bi, you have to prove it”: A qualitative examination of plurisexual women’s experiences with external and internalized pressure to prove their identities.

“…For instance, Mitchell et al (2015) found that bisexual participants report experiencing more prejudice from L/G people and less perceived connection to the LGBTQþ community than pansexual, queer, or fluid participants. Findings from Feinstein et al (2021) research suggests that pansexual and queer people may disclose their identity more to others, experience more discrimination from heterosexual people, and more depression symptoms compared with bisexuals. Notably, no significant differences were found in internalized binegativity between plurisexual individuals of varying identities (Feinstein et al, 2021).…”

“…Findings from Feinstein et al (2021) research suggests that pansexual and queer people may disclose their identity more to others, experience more discrimination from heterosexual people, and more depression symptoms compared with bisexuals. Notably, no significant differences were found in internalized binegativity between plurisexual individuals of varying identities (Feinstein et al, 2021). These findings contrast with those of Mereish and colleagues (Mereish et al, 2017), which indicates that bisexual and queer people experience more discrimination from heterosexual people and internalize binegativity less than pansexual people; However, few pansexual people were included in their sample (3.8%), limiting their ability to draw generalized conclusions about pansexual individuals.…”

“…Research on plurisexual people is conducted with the understanding that people attracted to more than one gender have unique experiences that differ from monosexual people in meaningful ways (Callis, 2014;Dyar et al, 2015;Galupo et al, 2014Galupo et al, , 2015Mitchell et al, 2015). While a majority of the research on plurisexual people has focused on the experiences of those who identify as bisexual, some research has included nonbisexual plurisexual people (i.e., pansexual, queer) in their samples (e.g., Feinstein et al, 2019Feinstein et al, , 2021Mereish et al, 2017;Mitchell et al, 2015). Research with samples that adequately represent the diversity of identities among plurisexual people indicates that important similarities and differences exist in the identity-related experiences of plurisexuals of varying identities.…”

Problematic pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations: Insights from the International Sex Survey and comparison of different assessment tools

“…lesbian) and plurisexual (e.g. pansexual, reporting attraction to more than one gender) individuals [25][26][27][28]. The variation in PPU prevalence may stem from real differences between cultural, gender-and sexual orientation-related groups [29].…”

Sexual minority disparities in psychosocial functioning following substance use recovery among a representative sample of US adults

“…Intersectional impacts of such minority stressors can include those related to monosexism (i.e., biphobia; the belief that one can or should only be attracted to one gender/sex) ( Dyar et al, 2020 , Feinstein and Dyar, 2017 ), sexism ( Scheer, Batchelder, et al, 2021 ), and other identity-related stressors (e.g., racism) ( English et al, 2018 ). Further, there is growing research demonstrating that individuals who identify as non-monosexual more frequently experience discrimination and internalized stigma compared to monosexual peers ( Feinstein et al, 2023 ). Sexual minority stress has also been associated with multiple psychosocial challenges, including lower quality of life (QOL) ( Grabski et al, 2019 , Potter and Patterson, 2019 ), distress ( Livingston et al, 2016 ), and lower well-being ( Douglass et al, 2020 , Thomeer and Reczek, 2016 ).…”