The research question is whether perceived social support buffers the effects of minority stress on the mental health of bisexual individuals. Minority stress refers to the unique challenges that members of stigmatized groups face due to their identity or status. Bisexual people experience discrimination from both heterosexuals and homosexuals, which can lead to negative emotional and psychological consequences. Social support is defined as an individual's perception of how much help they receive from others in times of need. The study hypothesizes that perceived social support may buffer the effects of minority stress on bisexual individuals' mental health.
Literature Review
Previous studies have found that bisexual individuals are more likely than other sexual minorities to experience discrimination and internalize it negatively (Lambert et al., 2016). This minority stress can lead to poor mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem (Boswell & Grov, 2007).
Perceived social support has been shown to mitigate these effects for lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals (Frost et al., 2018; Huebner et al., 2013). To test this hypothesis, we will conduct a quantitative study using surveys with a sample of bisexual individuals.
Methods
Participants will be recruited through online advertisements, LGBTQ+ organizations, and social media. They must identify as bisexual and meet inclusion criteria such as age and language proficiency. Participants will complete an anonymous survey including demographic questions, measures of perceived social support (e.g. Friends Assistance Questionnaire), measures of minority stress (e.g. Perceived Discrimination Scale), and measures of mental health (e.g. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale). Data analysis will use linear regression models controlling for potential confounding variables such as gender, ethnicity, education, and income level.
Results
The results will provide evidence on whether perceived social support buffers the negative impact of minority stress on bisexual individuals' mental health. Preliminary findings suggest that higher levels of social support are associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues among bisexual individuals who report more experiences of discrimination. These findings indicate that perceived social support may play a protective role in buffering the adverse effects of stigma on bisexual individuals' well-being. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and understand how specific types of social support may be most beneficial for different groups within the bisexual community.
How does perceived social support buffer the effects of minority stress on the mental health of bisexual individuals?
While there is evidence that members of sexual minorities experience higher rates of mental illness than heterosexuals due to stigma and discrimination, there has been limited research examining how social support may mitigate these effects. One study found that bisexual individuals with high levels of social support were less likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to those who had low levels of social support.