Sexual Orientation Identity in Relation to Minority Stress and Mental Health in Sexual Minority Women

Abstract

These results highlight the need to examine between group differences in future research. The experiences of minority stress appear to complexly relate to psychological distress in varying ways for different groups of women, with bisexual and queer women having the highest rates of psychological distress although they vary in the types of stressors that they encounter. In addition, the experiences of queer women were divergent from those of gay, lesbian, or bisexual women across many of the stressors, indicating that there is a need to further recognize this distinct group of women in future research.

Health Disparities Among Exclusively Lesbian, Mostly Lesbian, and Bisexual Young Women

“…Regarding identity uncertainty, those with a mostly lesbian identity endorsed more identity uncertainty than bisexual women who endorsed more identity uncertainty than those with an exclusively lesbian identity. In general, our findings are consistent with previous literature suggesting that bisexual women experience more physical 12 and mental health problems 5,[11][12][13] and maladaptive alcohol use 4,5,15,23 compared with lesbian women. Unlike previous research, in which mostly lesbian women were similar to lesbian women regarding depression and alcohol misuse, 5,16 our results suggest that mostly lesbian women are more similar to bisexual women than lesbian women, and sometimes have a uniquely elevated risk compared with both groups.…”

“…Previous research which has documented that bisexual individuals experience more stress related to concealment and internalized heterosexism may explain some disparities. 13 On the other hand, lesbian women report more discrimination and expectations of discrimination which may also explain some disparities. 13 Where mostly lesbian women fit in regarding experiences of minority stress remains to be seen and is an important area for future research.…”

“…For example, lesbian women reported more discrimination and expectations of discrimination compared with bisexual women. 13 On the other hand, bisexual women reported more concealment and internalized heterosexism compared with women who identified as gay, lesbian, or queer. 13 Identity uncertainty, or the degree to which one is uncertain regarding sexual identity (also described as identity confusion) is positively associated with minority stress variables such as internalized homonegativity, SEXUAL MINORITY WOMEN SUBGROUP HEALTH DISPARITIES concealment motivation, and difficulty accepting a sexual minority identity.…”

“…13 On the other hand, bisexual women reported more concealment and internalized heterosexism compared with women who identified as gay, lesbian, or queer. 13 Identity uncertainty, or the degree to which one is uncertain regarding sexual identity (also described as identity confusion) is positively associated with minority stress variables such as internalized homonegativity, SEXUAL MINORITY WOMEN SUBGROUP HEALTH DISPARITIES concealment motivation, and difficulty accepting a sexual minority identity. 30,31 In several studies, bisexual men and women collectively reported greater identity uncertainty or confusion than their peers who identified as lesbian or gay, [32][33][34] but bisexual participants did not report greater identity uncertainty than their gay/lesbian peers in another recent study.…”

“…10 Similarly, exclusively lesbian, mostly lesbian, and bisexual women were more likely to report past year and lifetime depression compared with heterosexual women. 5 Examinations of subgroups of SMW have found that bisexual women were more likely to report past year and lifetime depression, 5 12-month loneliness, hopelessness, sadness, depression, and anxiety, 11 more frequent mental distress, 12 and more psychological distress 13 compared with lesbian women. In contrast, in two other studies no differences were found between lesbian and bisexual women for lifetime and 12-month depression, 14,15 and anxiety disorders.…”