How do internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality affect your self-esteem, emotional resilience, and decision-making?
Internalizing negative beliefs about oneself can have significant impacts on one's overall well-being, including their self-esteem, ability to cope with stressors, and decision-making abilities. This is particularly true for individuals who identify as bisexual, as they may face unique challenges due to societal stigma and discrimination related to their sexual orientation. In this article, I will explore how internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality can lead to low self-esteem, difficulty bouncing back from setbacks, and difficulties making decisions.
Self-Esteem
One of the most common ways that internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality can negatively impact an individual is through lowered self-esteem. When someone has negative beliefs about their own identity or experiences prejudice based on it, it can lead them to question their worth and value as a person. This can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and insecurity, which can then bleed into other areas of life.
If a bisexual person believes that others see them as immoral or promiscuous, they may start to view themselves in a similarly unfavorable light. This can make it difficult to feel confident in their own skin and to assert their opinions and desires, leading to lower levels of self-efficacy. Low self-esteem can also make it harder to take risks, pursue opportunities, and engage in healthy relationships.
Emotional Resilience
Another way that internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality can affect well-being is by impairing emotional resilience. Emotional resilience refers to one's ability to cope with stressors, recover quickly from adversity, and bounce back from setbacks. Research suggests that individuals who experience discrimination or stigma related to their sexual orientation are more likely to have reduced emotional resilience than those who do not (Murphy & Travis, 2015). This is because these experiences can trigger feelings of rejection, isolation, and fear, which can be traumatic and overwhelming. When an individual struggles with emotional resilience, it can be challenging to navigate daily life and handle unexpected events without becoming overwhelmed or anxious.
Poor coping skills can lead to substance abuse, depression, and other mental health issues.
Decision-making
Internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality can also impact decision-making abilities, particularly when it comes to relationships and intimacy. Individuals may struggle to trust others, as they feel that they will be judged or rejected due to their identity. This can lead them to avoid romantic or sexual encounters altogether, limiting their dating pool or preventing them from finding fulfillment in their personal lives. It can also make it difficult to make decisions around work, finances, and other areas of life, as an individual may second-guess themselves and doubt their own judgment.
A bisexual person may hesitate to take on a new job opportunity for fear of being outed or facing discrimination.
This can lead to missed opportunities, regret, and even self-doubt.
Internalizing negative beliefs about bisexuality can have significant implications for one's overall well-being. From lowered self-esteem and decreased emotional resilience to difficulties making decisions, these effects can greatly impact an individual's quality of life. It is essential that we work to challenge these stigmas and provide supportive environments where individuals can feel safe, accepted, and empowered to embrace their true selves. By doing so, we can help ensure that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, are able to thrive and reach their full potential.
How do internalized negative beliefs about bisexuality affect your self-esteem, emotional resilience, and decision-making?
A study published in 2016 found that LGBTQ+ people often face discrimination, including biphobia from family members, friends, and society at large. Bisexuals are often perceived as indecisive or promiscuous, which can lead to lowered self-esteem, difficulty forming healthy relationships, and poorer mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression.