The views and experiences of bisexual people regarding their psychosocial support needs: a qualitative evidence synthesis

Abstract

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? Bisexual people experience significantly poorer mental health and higher rates of self‐harm and suicidality than their gay, lesbian or heterosexual counterparts. Although little is understood about why these disparities exist, bisexual people have been found to have unique life experiences that separate them from other sexual minority groups. Despite these health disparities and unique experiences, in research and in clinical settings, bisexual people are often incorporated under the LGBTQI+ umbrella and their needs are not seen as being different to those of other sub‐groups. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? This paper brings together the findings of the small but growing body of literature reporting on the psychosocial support needs of bisexual people. The findings reported on herein provide novel insights, collated and synthesized that will prove valuable to policy makers, service providers and researchers. What are the implications for practice? This paper clearly illustrates that bisexual people experience significant barriers to accessing the support services they need and that current competent service provision for this population is severely limited. The findings presented in this paper shed light on the unique psychosocial needs of bisexual people and highlight the need for practice change to reduce barriers to service access and ensure inclusive and culturally competent care for this community. Abstract IntroductionDespite consistent evidence of poor mental health among what is a relatively large population group, research examining bisexual mental health remains sparse. AimTo identify the psychosocial needs of people who are bisexual and establish factors that may support or inhibit access to appropriate psychosocial interventions and supports. MethodA qualitative evidence syntheses of the empirical evidence. ResultsA total of 15 papers were included in the review. The PRISMA process was used. Following data analysis, four main themes emerged that were (a) experiences of being bisexual, (b) mental health experiences and concerns, (c) service access and responses and (iv) communities and supports. DiscussionBisexual people have unique and specific psychosocial support needs that relate to, but are also different from, the needs of the broader LGBTIQ+ community. This study provides valuable insights into how future policy, practice, education and training and research can better address the needs of this highly vulnerable group. Implications for PracticeThis study highlights the psychosocial complexities associated with bisexuality and provides evidence for the need for improvement in current support services to ensure inclusivity and culturally competent care.

Intersectional Prevalence of Suicide Ideation, Plan, and Attempt Based on Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race and Ethnicity, and Rurality

“…At the intersection of sexual orientation and gender, bisexual women have the highest prevalence of STBs (and other forms of violence) compared with other sexual minority groups. While lesbian and bisexual women share exposure to some structural processes that are associated with increased STB risk (eg, sexism, heterosexism), bisexual women also experience biphobia and bierasure . This confluence of stressors may further vary across the rural-urban continuum, with nonmetropolitan or rural areas often being more stigmatizing of sexual minority identities and having fewer health care resources than large metropolitan or urban areas …”

Self‐injury in young bisexual people: A microlongitudinal investigation (SIBL) of thwarted belongingness and self‐esteem on non‐suicidal self‐injury

“…Increased teaching of sexuality and gender diversity within lessons is also needed, including the challenging of common bisexual stereotypes and prejudicial assumptions, given that discrimination for gay and bisexual men is predictive of lower self‐esteem (Huebner et al, 2004). Crucially, bisexual people from an early age need to be afforded the opportunity to internalize positive narratives and appraisals of their identity, given that prejudice exists even from other sexual minority individuals, and staying “closeted” can impact on self‐esteem (McCann et al, 2020; McLean, 2008).…”

Disparities in food insecurity between sexual minority and heterosexual adults – a higher burden on bisexual individuals

“…In fact, bisexual individuals in general experience higher rates of discrimination from heterosexual individuals compared to other subgroups of sexual minorities ( 20 , 21 ). Further, bisexual individuals report that psychosocial support services and communities that traditionally target gay or lesbian individuals lead to feelings of further exclusion and social isolation ( 32 ). Bisexual individuals are even targeted by other sexual minorities ( 4 , 20–22 ), a phenomenon often referred to as “double discrimination” ( 20 , 33 ).…”