Differences in Minority Stress Experiences, Mental Health, and Relationship Quality Outcomes Among Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Women

• Published in: Archives of sexual behavior Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 1255 - 1263
• Main Authors: Godfrey, Lisa M., Fechter, Zane M., Whitton, Sarah W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Bisexuality; Brief Report; Gays & lesbians; Mental health; Personal relationships; Psychology; Public Health; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; Social Sciences; Stress; Womens health; Sexual orientation; Bi+ women; Minority stress; Relationship quality; Mental health problems; Sexual identity label
• ISSN: 0004-0002; 1573-2800
• DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02771-8

The majority of sexual minority women in the United States today identify as bi+. Recent research suggests that “non-traditional” bi+ labels such as pansexual and queer are being adopted more frequently than ever before, making it increasingly important to evaluate whether these women have unique needs. In the current study, we explored differences in minority stress experiences, mental health, and relationship quality outcomes by sexual identity label among women who identify with the most common bi+ labels: bisexual, pansexual, and queer. Participants were 285 bi+ cisgender women in romantic relationships. They completed online measures of minority stress (antibisexual experiences, identity concealment, disconnection from the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community, and internalized stigma), mental health (depression and anxiety), and relationship quality (satisfaction and commitment). Overall, participants reported similar experiences of minority stress and few differences in their mental health outcomes. However, there were differences in antibisexual experiences by sexual identity label, such that pansexual women reported more frequent antibisexual experiences than bisexual and queer women. There were also differences in relationship quality by sexual identity label, such that bisexual women reported higher satisfaction than pansexual women and higher commitment than both pansexual and queer women. Findings suggest that pansexual and queer women may be facing their own unique challenges, even compared to bisexual women. Clinical prevention and intervention efforts can be tailored for these women to include strategies to cope with more frequent exposure to antibisexual experiences, as well as relationship education and skill-building to promote healthy romantic relationships.