Resilience is defined as an individual's capacity to cope with stressors and adversities. Coping refers to strategies used to deal with negative experiences. Self-efficacy involves one's belief in their ability to succeed at specific tasks. Bisexual individuals face discrimination from both heterosexuals and homosexuals due to their attraction towards people of different genders. This can lead to lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and difficulty finding supportive networks.
Some bisexuals may develop resilience through various coping mechanisms such as positive reframing, social support, and self-acceptance. Research shows that resilient individuals have higher levels of self-efficacy, which contributes to better mental health outcomes. The psychological processes underlying these constructs are rooted in cognitive appraisal, emotional regulation, self-regulation, and goal pursuit. Cognitive appraisals involve interpreting events and contexts as challenges or threats. Emotional regulation involves managing feelings of fear, guilt, anger, or shame. Self-regulation involves controlling impulses, motivation, and behavior. Goal pursuit involves setting goals and working towards them. By understanding these processes, we can help bisexual professionals build resilience, cope with bias, and enhance their self-efficacy.
Cognitive Appraisal
Cognitive appraisal involves how individuals interpret situations and contexts.
If a bisexual professional is denied a promotion because of their sexuality, they may perceive this event as unfair and threatening. Their thoughts would be negative and they might feel helpless or hopeless. On the other hand, if they recognize that discrimination exists in society and focus on what they can control, they may view it as an opportunity for growth and change. Positive reframing involves changing negative beliefs into positive ones, leading to more adaptive thinking patterns.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation involves managing feelings like anxiety, depression, or anger. When faced with bias, bisexuals may experience high levels of stress and sadness. They need to learn to identify and express their emotions without letting them overwhelm them. This can include mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or journaling. Social support from friends, family, or therapists can also help reduce distress.
Self-Regulation
Self-regulation involves controlling impulses, motivation, and behaviors. Bisexuals who have low self-esteem may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse, risky behavior, or avoidance. To improve self-regulation, they could practice healthier habits, set goals, and monitor progress towards them. These actions build self-efficacy by reinforcing positive beliefs about themselves and their capabilities.
Goal Pursuit
Goal pursuit involves setting objectives and working towards them. Bisexual professionals can use their resilience and coping skills to achieve personal and professional goals despite facing biases.
They might aim to find a company that values diversity or seek out mentors who understand their experiences. By pursuing these goals, they gain confidence in their abilities and enhance their wellbeing.
What psychological processes underpin resilience, coping, and self-efficacy in bisexual professionals facing bias?
The psychological process that is often linked with resilience, coping, and self-efficacy is cognitive appraisal, which refers to an individual's perception of a situation or event as challenging or threatening. Bisexual professionals who face bias may engage in cognitive appraisal by recognizing the negative effects of this experience on their personal and professional life and making an effort to cope with it.