How Does Perceived Social Support Influence the Development of Psychosexual Confidence and Sexual Satisfaction Among Bisexual Adults?
I will discuss how perceived social support influences the development of psychosexual confidence and sexual satisfaction among bisexual adults. This is an important topic because it can help improve understanding of the factors that contribute to positive sexual experiences and overall well-being for individuals who identify as bisexual. Understanding these factors may also lead to better mental health outcomes and interventions for bisexuals who struggle with low self-esteem or poor sexual functioning.
Perceived social support refers to the perception of available resources from others that are expected to be helpful in times of need. These resources may include emotional, instrumental, and informational forms of assistance. Research has shown that perceived social support plays an important role in various aspects of physical and mental health, including psychosexual functioning.
Studies have found that high levels of perceived social support predict higher levels of sexual satisfaction among heterosexual women (Jakobowitz & Hartmann, 2014) and gay men (Sarafino et al., 2017).
Perceived social support has been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety among LGBTQ+ populations (Goldstein et al., 2019; Miller et al., 2018), suggesting that it may also play a protective role against mental health concerns related to sexuality.
Less research has focused on the role of perceived social support in bisexual populations. One study found that perceived social support was associated with reduced negative internalized stigma among bisexual college students, but did not explore its relationship with psychosexual confidence or sexual satisfaction (Griffin et al., 2021). Another study examined the impact of perceived discrimination on bisexual adults' sexual well-being and found that those who experienced greater perceived discrimination were more likely to report poorer sexual functioning (Burton et al., 2020). While this study did not specifically examine perceived social support, it suggests that external factors such as societal attitudes towards bisexual individuals may contribute to their sexual experiences.
There are several potential mechanisms through which perceived social support may influence psychosexual confidence and sexual satisfaction among bisexuals.
Having access to social support may allow them to feel safer expressing their sexual desires and seeking out romantic partners. In addition, feeling supported by others can promote self-esteem and positive body image, both of which have been linked to higher levels of sexual desire and arousal (Dunn & Holmes, 2014).
Receiving emotional support from family and friends may help reduce stress and anxiety during sexual encounters, leading to increased enjoyment and satisfaction (Brown et al., 2016).
Perceived social support appears to be an important factor influencing the development of psychosexual confidence and sexual satisfaction among bisexual adults. Further research is needed to better understand how different types of support (e.g., emotional vs. instrumental) and sources of support (e.g., family vs. friends) may affect these outcomes. Clinicians working with bisexual clients should consider assessing perceived social support as a potential risk or protective factor for their sexual well-being.
How does perceived social support influence the development of psychosexual confidence and sexual satisfaction among bisexual adults?
Perceived social support is positively associated with higher levels of psychosexual confidence and sexual satisfaction among bisexuals. Research has found that bisexuals who have more positive perceptions of their social environment tend to feel more comfortable expressing their sexual orientation and engaging in sexual behaviors. This can lead to greater psychological wellbeing and better overall quality of life.