Predictors of Psychological Distress for Bi + Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Bisexual and pansexual (bi+) individuals remain understudied subpopulations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGTBQ+) community, despite experiencing complex stressors and stigma by both LGBTQ + and heterosexual communities. In this study, we used correlation analyses, hierarchical linear regression and moderation analyses to explore the relationships between societal stressors (concern about COVID and discrimination) and a protective factor (social support) in a sample bi + undergraduate and graduate students. The correlation results revealed positive, bivariate relationship between worry about COVID and psychological distress, along with everyday discrimination and psychological distress. The correlation results also revealed a negative bivariate correlation between social support and psychological distress for bi + participants. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that worry about COVID, everyday discrimination and social support were significant predictors of psychological distress for bi + individuals. Finally, moderation analyses revealed that social support moderated the relationship between everyday discrimination and psychological distress but not the relationship between COVID-Worry and Psychological Distress for bi + individuals. Findings from the present study will help inform clinicians of specific risks to bi + individual’s mental health when working with this population, specifically regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords:

• Bisexual
• pansexual
• discrimination
• psychological distress
• covid-19

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 According to the Bisexual Resource Center, bi + is an “umbrella term for people who recognize and honor their potential for sexual and emotional attraction to more than one gender.” This definition works to celebrate and affirm the diversity of bi + individuals regardless of labels (Bisexual Resource Center, 2022). It is also important to note that attraction to people of more than one gender does not always occur at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree (Flanders et al., 2016; Ochs, 2020; Swan, 2018).

Additional information

Funding

The administration of the RISE Survey was funded in part by a grant from the New York State office of Addiction Services and Supports.

Notes on contributors

Rachel Chickerella

Dr. Rachel Chickerella is a Core Faculty Member at Antioch University New England. Her research focuses on sexual and gender minorities with an emphasis on the experiences of bi+ individuals.

Meredith R. Maroney

Dr. Meredith R. Maroney is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston and a licensed psychologist. She conducts social justice-oriented and community-engaged research on sexual and gender minority individuals, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of Autistic and LGBTQ+ identities.

Danielle Shinbine

Danielle Shinbine is a second year Master of Science in Counselling Psychology student at the University of Calgary. Their research interests focus on LGBTQ+ well-being throughout the lifespan, with a particular interest pertaining to LGBTQ+ older adults. They also conduct research regarding how the LGBTQ+ community engages with social media.

M. Dolores Cimini

Dr. M. Dolores Cimini is a New York State licensed psychologist and Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research at the University at Albany. She has led research to practice translation work addressing health promotion and health disparities among college students for the past three decades.