Anti-bisexual discrimination as insidious trauma and impacts on mental and physical health.

Abstract

Using a minority stress framework (Meyer, 2003), and conceptualizing antibisexual discrimination as a type of trauma, we examined relations between experiences of antibisexual discrimination, trauma symptoms, internalized biphobia, depression symptoms, and physical health in a sample of 387 selfidentified bisexual adults from the United States who completed an online survey. Path analysis using structural equation modeling indicated partial support for the hypothesized model. Antibisexual experiences from heterosexuals related to physical health and depressive symptoms, both indirectly through trauma symptoms. No support was found for the hypothesized indirect relation between antibisexual experiences from lesbians and gay men and physical health or depression. No support was found for the hypothesized relations between anti-bisexual experiences from lesbians and gay men and trauma symptoms or internalized biphobia. Overall, results support the notion that experiencing antibisexual prejudice, specifically discrimination from heterosexuals, relates to trauma symptoms, and these symptoms have implications for physical and mental well-being. Implications for mental health workers, medical professionals, and researchers are discussed. Public Significance StatementThis study shows relations between discrimination and mental and physical well-being for bisexual individuals. Specifically, we found the antibisexual discrimination bisexual people experience from heterosexuals relates to physical health, trauma symptoms, and depressive symptoms. The antibisexual discrimination perpetrated by lesbians and gay men did not demonstrate the same significant relations.

LGBTQ individuals’ lived experiences of hypervigilance.

“…Previous research has documented links between stigma-related stress, trauma symptoms, and physical and mental health (Arnett et al, 2019). As a potentially health-compromising response to chronic and pervasive multilevel systemic oppression, hypervigilant experiences as narrated by our participants elicited emotional and behavioral reactions (e.g., negative emotions such as fear and anxiety, self-monitoring) and interpersonal reactions (mistrust, social avoidance, and isolation).…”

“…Vigilance may be an adaptive coping response used by LGBTQ individuals to avoid discrimination and prejudice (Meyer, 2003); however, acute experiences of discrimination (e.g., threat of physical violence) or chronic anticipation of prejudice or rejection (e.g., being fired from one's job) may lead to hypervigilance consistent with reactions to trauma (Keating & Muller, 2020). For example, a recent study based on a sample of bisexual-identified individuals found that experiences of antibisexual discrimination and prejudice were associated with trauma symptoms and subsequent poorer physical and mental health (Arnett et al, 2019).…”

Job‐related well‐being of sexual minorities: Evidence from the British workplace employment relations study

“…Another explanation, as indicated previously, is that bisexual people face additional prejudice and discrimination in addition to those directed toward LG persons. The literature contains consistent negative portrayals of bisexuals, mostly from heterosexuals but also from within the LG community (Arnett et al., 2019). By being poorly understood, bisexuals are often stereotyped as confused, lacking courage and indecisive (Kleese, 2011).…”

“…According to Arnett et al. (2019), bisexuals are subjected to additional prejudice and discrimination that leads to unique stressors, in addition to those directed toward gay and lesbian persons. Similarly, Green et al.…”

An Examination of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Related Symptoms Among a Sample of Latinx Sexual‐ and Gender‐Minority Immigrants

“…Recent research has suggested an association between being the target of heterosexist forms of harassment and symptoms of traumatic stress (Arnett et al., 2019; Dworkin et al., 2018). Synergistic experiences of bias and discrimination from racially and sexually marginalized social positions can amplify one's risk of psychological health disparities (Bowleg, 2008; Cole 2009).…”