Introduction
Several studies have compared the mental wellbeing of the LGBT persons to that of heterosexual people (McLaren & Castillo, 2020). According to most research, LGBT people are more prone than the overall population to have mental health problems. While various study projects have been done to investigate the core causes of this issue in general, investigations on the mental health of every person who contributes to society have just lately been conducted. Other studies compare the mental health difficulties of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals to those of heterosexuals. According to a survey, bisexuals are more prone than heterosexuals to have mental health issues (Nam et al., 2019). Bisexuals are more prone than heterosexuals to suffer from mental health problems due to Biphobia. According to Who I Am, recent Australian research, 58.8% of bisexuals suffer from severe emotional discomfort.
Descriptions or Definitions of Key Words and Terms
Some of the fundamental ideas and terms utilized are novel due to the only continuing research on the bisexual lifestyle and mental health. First, bisexual must be defined in the broadest meaning possible attraction to both women and men is how bisexuality is characterized (Ehlke et al., 2020). When it comes to sexual attraction, there is often a spectrum to consider since some individuals are more sexually attracted to the same gender while still being sexually attracted to the other sex and vice versa. Biphobia is a relatively recent topic in the literature. Biphobia is a fear of both men and women. According to Oxford-based Williams and Pryor, the experience of bisexual people being harassed and discriminated against because of their sexuality, which can occur from heterosexuals as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex communities.
Issues Faced by the Group
Biphobia is a term used by bisexuals to describe their dread of being bisexual. As previously noted, this is a kind of sexual orientation discrimination against bisexuals. It is vital to examine and define homophobia to understand it better. An unreasonable dread of persons engaging into same-sex sexual or romantic relationships, particularly those who look likely to do so (Nam et al., 2019). Many persons with Biphobia also have internal homophobia underscores the necessity of understanding homophobia (Ehlke et al., 2020). Lesbians and homosexuals, like bisexuals, must understand that they do not have a heterosexual sexual orientation.
Bisexual groups are harmed by members of the lesbian and homosexual communities and heterosexuals. This double prejudice is shaped by stereotypes, according to bisexual activist Robin Osh. Stereotyping bisexuals as indecisive and promiscuous has a bad influence on their mental health, he continues (Nam et al., 2019). Because they typically think their sexual inclination is excessive, neither the lesbian/gay nor the straight communities accept them. Another source of prejudice towards bisexuals, especially among lesbians and homosexuals, is their belief that their sexual orientation is excessive (Frederick et al., 2022). They are excluded from both occupations, thereby separating them from society. Because of this prejudice, bisexuals have been less likely to attend sexual minority organizations, which may be an excellent source of support.
Biphobia may present itself in several ways in interpersonal relationships. Bisexuals commonly face internal tensions. If they choose to spend their lives with persons of the same gender, they are categorized as homosexual. When a heterosexual couple lives with someone of the opposite sex, they are said to be heterosexual. Bisexuals commonly fear that they betray their sexual orientation by picking a partner and relinquish their bisexual identity (McLaren & Castillo, 2020). Researchers discovered that most individuals would not be bisexual. They are characterized as con artists, sexually reckless, and prone to spread sexually transmitted illnesses (Ehlke et al., 2020). The stress negatively impacts bisexual mental health in their relationship and the internal conflicts that develop due to it.
Human Sexuality Theory
What bisexuals could go through at any moment is best covered by the social exchange hypothesis of human sexuality. The basis of the theory is that relationships are built on exchanging advantages and costs (McLaren & Castillo, 2020). For bisexuals, benefits and expenses are sometimes at odds. They must determine if it is more pleasurable to be with someone of the same sex or someone of the opposite sex. Decisions are usually made depending on whether they are entirely content with either sex preference, although heterosexual couples experience more tension (Frederick et al., 2022). Because negativity distorts their identity regarding others, straight, bisexual persons feel they are perceived directly as straightforward and not bisexual.
Bisexuals are increasingly under pressure due to Biphobia, as previously said, and must determine if the relationship is worth their sanity (Ehlke et al., 2020). 50% of bisexuals suffer from depression, while 31% suffer from anxiety disorders. The health hazards of sadness and anxiety in relationships were explored using social exchange theory to assess whether they were worth maintaining. According to the book, “we are hedonic, which implies that when we act, we strive to maximize benefits while minimizing costs (Frederick et al., 2022). Bisexuals must decide if their relationship helps them more or causes them more problems.
The bisexual person’s partner, rather than the bisexual person themselves, contribute to the social exchange theory (or partners). Partners must determine if the partnership is beneficial in terms of money and societal stigma and discrimination. It has been demonstrated that some individuals will not join these relationships because of this mindset. Bisexuality may be unappealing to lesbians and gay men who feel it is only a phase. Bisexuals have a reputation for being unpredictably unstable (McLaren & Castillo, 2020). According to the social exchange hypothesis, people must analyze their past beliefs to determine whether these contacts will help them rather than hurt them.
One Study Selected from the Articles Provided
The research was done to categorize individuals according to their sexuality, use repeated longitudinal evaluations of sexual factors relating to behavior, interests, identities, and fantasies developed throughout maturity between the ages of 18 and 35, the researchers noted in one study (Nam et al., 2019). The sexual classification that emerges may analyze the link between mental health and drug-related problems in adulthood for persons of diverse sexualities, both before and after controlling for prospectively observed social, familial, and childhood confounding factors. (3) To determine if the statement fluency in sexuality accounts is a determinant of mental health outcomes is correct (McLaren & Castillo, 2020). Those who took part in the Christchurch Health and Development Survey chose their themes. There were 1,265 children in the city United States, in 1977, and this is a sample size investigating a group of children who were assessed at birth, four months later, a year later, and then at the ages of 18, 21, 25, 30, and 35.
The researchers undertook a long-term investigation to assess these people’s sexual habits. They posed a series of questions to determine where the persons landed on the rock throughout the procedure. Participants were given further questions once they were 25 to assist them in finding out their sexual orientation. Most participants are straight, bisexual, or gay/lesbian and are evaluated on a linear scale. This research looked at various indicators connected to mental health concerns, including drug addiction.
This is crucial since drug addiction is a risk factor for poor mental health (Frederick et al., 2022). The study’s outcome is based on the analysis of several factors. They looked at sadness, anxiety, and suicide thoughts, as well as the severity and overall prognosis of each disorder. Gender did not influence the results in any category, and men and women were equally affected. Furthermore, the results were unaffected by age. Bisexual men and women have the most significant incidence of severe depression, suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, marijuana misuse, and all disorders. Anxiety is the only category where bisexuals do not obtain the most outstanding possible score.
Conclusion
According to research, bisexuals have the most significant mental health issues compared to their heterosexual, lesbian, and homosexual counterparts (Ehlke et al., 2020). While the study’s emphasis is on Biphobia as a factor in the greatest rates of mental illness, the data support the concept. This research has several limitations, although it raises concerns. One of the critical constraints they noticed was that various study defines and questions sexuality in different ways. Another disadvantage is that persons struggling with their sexual identity are less likely to seek treatment than others. It is intended that because of this research, there would be a deeper understanding of bisexuals’ mental health, leading to more individuals seeking medical care, as well as a greater understanding of the need to be more attentive to the needs of persons who identify as members of minority groups.
References
Ehlke, S. J., Braitman, A. L., Dawson, C. A., Heron, K. E., & Lewis, R. J. (2020). Sexual minority stress and social support explain the association between sexual identity with physical and mental health problems among young lesbian and bisexual women. Sex Roles, 83(5), 370-381.
Frederick, D. A., Hazzard, V. M., Schaefer, L. M., Rodgers, R. F., Gordon, A. R., Tylka, T. L., … & Murray, S. B. (2022). Sexual orientation differences in pathways from sociocultural and objectification constructs to body satisfaction: The US Body Project I. Body Image, 41, 181-194.
McLaren, S., & Castillo, P. (2020). What about me? Sense of belonging and depressive symptoms among bisexual women. Journal of Bisexuality, 20(2), 166-182.
Nam, B., Jun, H. J., Fedina, L., Shah, R., & DeVylder, J. E. (2019). Sexual orientation and mental health among adults in four US cities. Psychiatry Research, 273, 134-140.
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