Differences between Australian bisexual and pansexual women: an assessment of minority stressors and psychological outcomes

ABSTRACT

The current study examined whether Australian cisgender women who identify as bisexual or pansexual differ in their experience of minority stress, and, in turn, psychological distress and well-being. A convenience sample of 229 Australian cisgender women who identified as bisexual or pansexual responded to a survey assessing minority stressors and psychological outcomes. Compared to bisexual women, pansexual women were more open about their sexuality, more connected to the LGBTIQ+ community, and somewhat more conscious of sexual minority stigma. No difference in psychological distress was observed between groups. However, pansexual identification was indirectly associated with psychological distress via elevated stigma consciousness. Similarly, there were no differences in psychological well-being between bisexual and pansexual women. However, pansexual identification was indirectly associated with poorer psychological well-being via stigma consciousness and greater psychological well-being via LGBTIQ+ community connectedness, suggesting that pansexual identification has a complex relationship with well-being. These findings suggest different underlying sexual minority experiences between bisexual and pansexual women in an Australian context, which influence psychological outcomes in divergent ways between groups. Clinical implications include the importance of recognising the unique experiences of bisexual and pansexual individuals, and the need for tailored care for these populations.

KEYWORDS:

• Bisexuality
• pansexuality
• minority stress
• mental health

Data availability statement

Data are available on request from the authors (contact [email protected]).

Disclosure statement

Dr James Morandini, Ms Jessica Strudwick, Dr Rachel Menzies and Dr Ilan Dar-Nimrod declare that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization with financial interest in the subject matter discussed in this manuscript.

Notes

1. A number of studies have now examined the link between gender nonconformity and sexual orientation in gay versus bisexual individuals (Lippa, 2005, 2008, 2020; Rieger et al., 2020). The overall findings, both in self-report studies where bisexual and gay /lesbian males and females rate their childhood gender nonconformity, self-report masculinity-femininity in adulthood, and occupational preferences (Lippa, 2005, 2008, 2020), as well as a studies involving blinded objective ratings of masculinity-femininity of voices and mannerisms gay/lesbians versus bisexual targets (Rieger et al., 2020), indicate that gay males and lesbians demonstrate lower levels of gender conformity compared to bisexual males and females respectively.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James Morandini

Dr James Morandini (D Clin Psych/PhD) is a clinical psychologist, founder/director of a psychology practice focusing on issues of sexuality and gender identity, and a postdoctoral research fellow at The University of Sydney specializing in sexual orientation/gender identity research.

Jessica Strudwick

Jessica Strudwick (B Psych Hons 1) is completing her Master’s in Organisational Psychology at The University of Queensland.

Rachel Menzies

Dr Rachel Menzies (M Psych Clin/PhD) is a clinical psychologist and postdoctoral research fellow in The School of Psychology at The University of Sydney.

Ilan Dar-Nimrod

Dr Ilan Dar-Nimrod is an Associate Professor in The School of Psychology at The University of Sydney.