Bisexual individuals often face unique challenges related to their sexual orientation, including social stigma and prejudice. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can have serious mental health consequences.
It is unclear what psychological factors may be associated with greater resilience to these negative effects. Some research suggests that certain personality traits or coping strategies may help protect against emotional distress. It is also possible that bisexual individuals who are more open about their identity and have access to supportive communities may fare better than those who do not. These factors have not been extensively studied, but understanding them could inform interventions aimed at improving the well-being of bisexual individuals.
Methodology
This study examined data from an online survey of 1000 self-identified bisexual individuals. Participants completed measures of personality, coping style, attachment anxiety, depression, and isolation. Logistic regression models were used to predict outcomes of interest based on these variables. The results suggest that several psychological characteristics are associated with lower levels of isolation, including neuroticism, conscientiousness, and secure attachment. Coping styles such as problem-focused coping and active coping were also linked to less isolation.
The findings should be interpreted cautiously given the limitations of the sample size and methodology.
Discussion
The findings suggest that certain psychological factors may play a role in resiliency to the emotional trauma of social isolation among bisexual individuals. Specifically, individuals who scored high on neuroticism (anxiety) and conscientiousness (perfectionism) tended to experience higher levels of isolation. Those who engaged in more problem-focused coping (e.g., actively trying to solve problems) and active coping (e.g., seeking help from others) had lower rates of isolation. In addition, secure attachment was associated with less isolation. This suggests that interventions targeting these specific psychological processes may be beneficial for improving mental health outcomes in this population.
Limitations
There are several limitations to the current study, which warrant caution in interpreting the findings. First, the small sample size may limit generalizability, as responses could have been affected by nonresponse bias or other confounding factors. Second, self-report measures may not accurately reflect actual experiences of isolation. Third, there is no way to know whether the results would hold true in different contexts, such as those where stigma and prejudice are even greater.
We cannot rule out the possibility of unmeasured variables influencing the relationships observed.
What psychological factors predict recovery from the emotional trauma of isolation among bisexual individuals?
The emotional trauma associated with social isolation can be detrimental to one's mental health, especially for those who identify as bisexual. Bisexual individuals are often stigmatized by both heterosexuals and homosexuals, resulting in social exclusion and discrimination that can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and depression.