A Qualitative Examination of Bisexual+ Identity Invalidation and Its Consequences for Wellbeing, Identity, and Relationships

Abstract

Bisexual+ people (i.e., those attracted to people of more than one gender/sex) face unique stressors related to their sexual orientation, but identity invalidation (experiences in which others deny, negate, or refuse to accept an individual’s identity) has received limited empirical attention. As such, the goals of the current study were to examine manifestations of bi+ identity invalidation and their consequences for wellbeing, identity, and relationships. Fifty-two bi+ participants completed a qualitative survey that asked them to describe their most stressful experience of identity invalidation. Three coders analyzed the data using a consensual qualitative research approach, and the coding scheme was confirmed by two auditors. Most participants (85%) had experienced identity invalidation. They described five perceived reasons: (1) others did not understand or accept bi+ identities; (2) the gender of their partner did not fit with others’ beliefs about bi+ identities; (3) others believed they were confused; (4) others believed they were “faking” it; and (5) others rejected bi+ identities for religious reasons. Participants described consequences of identity invalidation including negative emotions, identity-related challenges, and relational difficulties. These findings suggest that identity invalidation is a common experience among bi+ people and it may be an important intervention target.

Keywords:

• bisexual
• non-monosexual
• identity invalidation
• discrimination
• minority stress

Additional information

Funding

Brian A. Feinstein's time was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K08DA045575). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agency.

Notes on contributors

Brian A. Feinstein

Brian A. Feinstein received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University in 2015. He is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) at Northwestern University. His program of research focuses on understanding and reducing the health disparities affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, especially bisexual and other non-monosexual individuals. He is interested in understanding how different types of stress (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma, rejection sensitivity) influence mental health, substance use, sexual risk behavior, and relationship functioning among SGM individuals and couples. He is also interested in developing and testing interventions to improve health and relationships in these populations. Dr. Feinstein is also a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois.

Marisa Franco

Marisa Franco received her PhD and Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology at the University of Maryland. She was formerly an assistant professor at Georgia State University and currently works in policy, where she applies research towards social change. Her research has focused on complicating portraits of identity and identity-related stress. Specifically, she has focused on experiences of racial identity invalidation for Multiracial people, and also on discrimination and health for people of African-descent. She coined the term “identity incongruent discrimination” to describe discrimination based on how one is perceived, rather than how one identifies. She received an international grant to conduct research in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, which involved culturally adapting an intervention. She has also done research on people of mixed-race heritage in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Franco has received numerous awards for her research and service including awards from the National Institutes of Health and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.

Regine Henderson

Regine Henderson received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently a Master's level student at Georgia State University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is set to graduate in May of 2020 and plans on pursuing a PhD soon afterward. She is passionate about minority mental health, and her research interests primarily include Black/African Americans and the intersection between race and sexuality. She is also interested in understanding the ways in which internalized racism and homophobia correlate with mental health disorders, such as depression, in the lives of young men, women, and non-binary individuals who identify as Black/African American.

Laniqua Kemecee Collins

Laniqua Kemecee Collins is currently a student in the College of Education and Human Development in the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Master's Program at Georgia State University. She is currently interested in working in various healthcare sectors to provide counseling, rehabilitation, and vocational services.

Jaleh Davari

Jaleh Davari received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University and is currently a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Counseling Psychology program at Georgia State University. Her research focuses on the stigma of seeking help for mental health issues, specifically for minority populations. She is interested in how different types of stigma (e.g., public, private) influence attitudes toward mental health and actual help-seeking behavior. She remains engaged in clinical work, teaching, and advocacy with plans to pursue an academic position post-graduation.