z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
The role of partner gender in bisexual men’s stigma-related experiences and mental health: Results from a probability-based sample in the United States.
Author(s) -
Brian A. Feinstein,
Jessie V. Ford,
Micah R. Lattanner,
Na Bo,
Wanzhu Tu,
Brian Dodge
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
stigma and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2376-6972
pISSN - 2376-6964
DOI - 10.1037/sah0000297
Subject(s) - mental health , psychology , minority stress , sexual orientation , stressor , stigma (botany) , clinical psychology , homosexuality , sexual minority , psychiatry , social psychology , psychoanalysis
Bisexual men are disproportionately affected by negative mental health outcomes compared to heterosexual and gay men. These disparities are related to the unique stressors that they experience, and emerging evidence suggests that their experiences of these stressors can be different depending on the gender of their partner. However, previous studies have largely focused on bisexual women and little is known about the role of partner gender in bisexual men's experiences and mental health. We examined the associations between relationship type and outness, stigma-related experiences, and mental health using data from Wave 1 of the National Study of Stigma and Sexual Health, a probability-based sample of 502 gay and bisexual men in the U.S. Analyses focused on the subset of 128 men who identified as bisexual (44.53% in relationships with women, 14.84% in relationships with men, 40.63% not in relationships). Bisexual men in relationships with men reported being more out than those in relationships with women and those who were not in relationships; furthermore, bisexual men in relationships with men reported more discrimination and family stress than those in relationships with women. Bisexual men who were not in relationships reported more anticipated and internalized stigma than those in relationships with men; additionally, bisexual men who were not in relationships reported more anticipated stigma and depression than those in relationships with women. Partner gender plays a role in bisexual men's stigma-related experiences and mental health, and efforts to improve bisexual men's health should attend to sexual orientation, relationship status, and partner gender.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here