Abstract
Bisexual individuals suffer poorer well-being than their gay and lesbian peers. The current work highlights the identity denial experiences of people who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual through self-reports and quantitative measures. Study 1 (N = 130) asked participants about unsupportive experiences during sexual identity disclosure and found that experiences of identity denial were more frequently reported by bisexual individuals compared to gay and lesbian peers. Study 2 (N = 202) examined the distinct relationship of identity denial experiences, above and beyond other prejudiced responses and discrimination, with well-being and self-concept outcomes. Results suggest identity denial is a frequent experience for bisexual individuals and is uniquely associated with lower psychological well-being and a less clear self-concept.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 528-544 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Self and Identity |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2021 |
Funding
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the Sexualities Project at Northwestern. This work was completed with the support of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awarded to the first author. This work was also supported by a research grant from The Sexualities Project at Northwestern.
Keywords
- Identity
- bisexuality
- identity denial
- minority mental health
- sexual minorities
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology