Negative identity experiences of bisexual and other non-monosexual people: A qualitative report

ABSTRACT

In this article, we report experiences that bisexual and other nonmonosexual people perceive as negative or threatening toward their sexual identity that may relate to mental health. A 28-day, daily diary study investigated whether participants encountered negative experiences related to their sexual identity. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, participants' experiences were organized according to a social ecological model. Experiences were reported at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social-structural levels, though most negative sexual identity experiences occurred at the interpersonal level. Implications for negative health outcomes research and the inclusion of bisexual-specific stressors in minority stress research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Bisexuality
• microaggressions
• minority stress
• social ecological model

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts to report.