Randolph C H Chan1, Don Operario2, Winnie W S Mak3. 1. Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: rchchan@eduhk.hk. 2. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. Electronic address: don_operario@brown.edu. 3. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Electronic address: wwsmak@cuhk.edu.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although earlier studies have indicated that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are at greater risk of psychiatric symptoms than heterosexual individuals, limited attention has been paid to the mental health disparities within LGB populations, especially in non-Western societies. This study examined the disparities in depression, anxiety, and mental well-being between gay/lesbian and bisexual individuals and investigated how the disparities are explained by the greater sexual identity stress experienced by bisexual individuals compared to their gay and lesbian counterparts. METHODS: The study sample included 931 cisgender LGB individuals in Hong Kong, with 70.1% identifying as gay/lesbian and 29.9% identifying as bisexual. They completed a self-report questionnaire on sexual identity stress and mental health. RESULTS: Bisexual individuals showed higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than lesbians and gay men. Structural equation modeling showed that, compared with lesbians and gay men, bisexual individuals were more likely to report identity uncertainty, conceal their sexual orientation, and have a weaker sense of connection to the LGBT community, which were in turn associated with greater affective symptoms and poorer mental well-being. LIMITATIONS: The use of cross-sectional data does not allow conclusions on causal relationships among variables. CONCLUSIONS: Given the greater vulnerability of bisexual individuals to common mental health problems, evidence-based psychological interventions that strategically target their identity stress at multiple levels should be developed and made available to those in need. Social and psychoeducational interventions are also necessary to transform the monosexist culture and eradicate binegativity in the LGBT and wider communities.
BACKGROUND: Although earlier studies have indicated that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are at greater risk of psychiatric symptoms than heterosexual individuals, limited attention has been paid to the mental health disparities within LGB populations, especially in non-Western societies. This study examined the disparities in depression, anxiety, and mental well-being between gay/lesbian and bisexual individuals and investigated how the disparities are explained by the greater sexual identity stress experienced by bisexual individuals compared to their gay and lesbian counterparts. METHODS: The study sample included 931 cisgender LGB individuals in Hong Kong, with 70.1% identifying as gay/lesbian and 29.9% identifying as bisexual. They completed a self-report questionnaire on sexual identity stress and mental health. RESULTS: Bisexual individuals showed higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than lesbians and gay men. Structural equation modeling showed that, compared with lesbians and gay men, bisexual individuals were more likely to report identity uncertainty, conceal their sexual orientation, and have a weaker sense of connection to the LGBT community, which were in turn associated with greater affective symptoms and poorer mental well-being. LIMITATIONS: The use of cross-sectional data does not allow conclusions on causal relationships among variables. CONCLUSIONS: Given the greater vulnerability of bisexual individuals to common mental health problems, evidence-based psychological interventions that strategically target their identity stress at multiple levels should be developed and made available to those in need. Social and psychoeducational interventions are also necessary to transform the monosexist culture and eradicate binegativity in the LGBT and wider communities.
Authors: John E Pachankis; Conor P Mahon; Skyler D Jackson; Benjamin K Fetzner; Richard Bränström Journal: Psychol Bull Date: 2020-07-23 Impact factor: 17.737
Authors: Jan-Ole H Gmelin; Ymkje Anna De Vries; Laura Baams; Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola; Jordi Alonso; Guilherme Borges; Brendan Bunting; Graca Cardoso; Silvia Florescu; Oye Gureje; Elie G Karam; Norito Kawakami; Sing Lee; Zeina Mneimneh; Fernando Navarro-Mateu; José Posada-Villa; Charlene Rapsey; Tim Slade; Juan Carlos Stagnaro; Yolanda Torres; Ronald C Kessler; Peter de Jonge Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2022-07-19 Impact factor: 4.519
Authors: Eleanor M Schuttenberg; Alana M Johnston; Mia J Drury; Jennifer T Sneider; Marisa M Silveri; David H Rosmarin Journal: Psychiatr Res Clin Pract Date: 2022-02-03
Authors: Marc Eric S Reyes; Alyzza Meynell D Escote; Antonia Veronica C Ferrer; Judith Kate O Marpuri; Anna Clarissa D R Santos; Rubertha Francesca E Torres; Ryan Francis O Cayubit; Jeemon Rey A Bacaoco Journal: Curr Psychol Date: 2022-08-08