Bisexuality is a sexual orientation that refers to an attraction towards both men and women. Bisexuals may identify as either male or female but their romantic or sexual attractions are not limited to one gender. This makes them feel like they don't belong anywhere and experience social rejection. Bisexuals also face discrimination and prejudice because of their identity, which can cause relational stress and coping mechanisms. There have been several studies conducted regarding bisexuality, its impact on individuals, and how it informs their coping mechanisms. This article discusses the various ways in which bisexuality affects coping mechanisms for relational stress, minority stress, and social rejection at different stages of life.
At adolescence, bisexual youth faces challenges such as bullying, lack of support from peers, family members, and even educators due to their identity. They often feel isolated and alone since there isn't enough representation of bisexuals in society. This leads to emotional distress and difficulties in forming relationships with others. Bisexual teenagers might resort to self-harm and substance abuse to cope with these issues. As adults, bisexuals still struggle to find acceptance in society, especially when dating someone from another race or culture. Their partners might be uncomfortable with their identity, leading to relational stress. Some use alcohol or drugs to deal with this stress while others rely on friends and family for support.
As bisexuals get older, they become more comfortable with themselves and their identity.
They continue to face discrimination and prejudice, which results in minority stress. Minority stress refers to the psychological stress experienced by marginalized groups. It is characterized by feelings of alienation, isolation, stigma, stereotyping, and victimization. Coping mechanisms differ depending on individual experiences, but common strategies include positive self-talk, social support, and engaging in hobbies that provide a sense of belonging. Older bisexuals may also use spirituality or religion to deal with minority stress.
Social rejection occurs when an individual is rejected by society because of their sexual orientation. For bisexuals, it can take various forms like being denied access to public spaces or being excluded from social events. Social rejection can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. To cope with this rejection, some bisexuals avoid certain places or people who are likely to reject them, while others try to educate those around them about bisexuality. They may also seek support from online communities or therapy sessions to help manage their emotions.
Bisexuality informs coping mechanisms for relational stress, minority stress, and social rejection at different stages of life. Bisexuals must develop effective coping strategies to deal with these issues and maintain their mental health. Society needs to be more accepting and tolerant of bisexuals to create a safe space where they feel accepted and valued.
In what ways does bisexuality inform coping mechanisms for relational stress, minority stress, and social rejection at different stages of life?
Despite popular belief that bisexual individuals experience more anxiety regarding sexual orientation than heterosexuals, research has not found any difference in anxiety between these groups (Davis et al. , 2019). Bisexual individuals may face unique challenges related to identity development, coming out, and acceptance from family and friends.