Study: Bisexual ‘outness’ is not associated with anxiety or depression
Bostwick and Smith Malonga publish study on relationship between bisexual outness and mental health
Does disclosing whether you are bisexual to others in your life lead to better or worse mental health?
A study published in the journal Self and Identity last month found no direct association between “outness” and anxiety or depression among a racially diverse sample of bisexual adults. UIC Nursing assistant professor Ariel Smith Malonga, PhD, RN, was lead author and associate professor Wendy Bostwick, PhD, MPH, was senior author.
“The impact of a bisexual indvidual’s ‘outness’ on their mental health is complex and requires a nuanced evaluation,” Smith says. “Previous research highlights the heightened mental health challenges faced by bisexual individuals. Our study attempted to look at some of the dynamics at play and to include a more diverse sample than many previous studies.”
The paper relied on data from 235 racially diverse bisexual adults, employing data from the Women’s and Men’s Daily Experiences Studies. Little research has previously been conducted on the mental health of bisexual-identified people of color, according to the study.
While some studies have found that greater bisexual identity disclosure has been associated with higher levels of well-being, greater authenticity, higher life satisfaction, and lower rates of depression, others have found negative associations with being out as bisexual, according to the paper.
Although the authors did not find “outness” significantly related to anxiety or depression, they did find that individuals who anticipated negativity about their bisexual identity had higher rates of anxiety and depression.
“Expecting negative reactions to one’s bisexual identity, especially in the form of stereotypes and microaggressions, coupled with heightened awareness for such negative encounters, can exacerbate psychological distress,” Bostwick says. “This constant vigilance takes a toll on one’s mental health.”
In general, bisexual individuals have repeatedly been found to have worse mental health outcomes than their gay and lesbian peers. Bisexual people experience more frequent tension, worry, and sadness, as well as higher levels of past-year suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions compared to their gay and lesbian counterparts. They are also at increased risk for substance use disorders and high rates of victimization, according to the paper.