The term "minority stress" refers to the various forms of stress that result from being a member of an oppressed group. This stress can manifest itself in different ways for each person depending on their individual experiences, but it generally involves feeling isolated, marginalized, stigmatized, and victimized due to one's identity. In this context, bisexuals are often seen as unstable, indecisive, promiscuous, and insincere, which can contribute to feelings of shame, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and even suicidality.
Research has shown that social support is an important protective factor against these negative effects.
Social support comes from multiple sources, including family, friends, partners, coworkers, community groups, and online communities. It encompasses emotional, informational, appraisal, and instrumental types of assistance. Emotional support provides comfort, empathy, and validation through listening or sharing personal thoughts and feelings. Informational support provides advice, guidance, knowledge, and resources. Appraisal support helps people evaluate options and make decisions by offering an objective perspective. Instrumental support involves practical help such as money, transportation, or childcare.
Studies have found that bisexual individuals who experience high levels of social support tend to report better mental health outcomes than those with less support. Social support buffers the negative impact of minority stress on wellbeing by providing a sense of belonging, reducing isolation, challenging stereotypes, increasing resilience, and improving coping skills. It also reduces fear of rejection, shame, and internalized homophobia, all of which can negatively affect mental health.
Not everyone has access to equal amounts of social support. Many factors contribute to this, including age, gender identity, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, sexual orientation, relationship status, and more. In addition, some sources of social support may be unavailable due to distance, lack of trust, or cultural norms.
Many bisexuals are estranged from their families due to disapproval of their sexuality, leading them to seek alternative sources of support like friends, LGBTQ+ organizations, online communities, or therapists.
To promote mental health in bisexual individuals, it is important for society to create safe spaces where they feel supported and validated. This includes creating inclusive policies, challenging discrimination, educating others about bisexual identities, promoting awareness of mental health issues, and providing resources and services tailored to their needs.
Bisexuals themselves should prioritize self-care practices like mindfulness, exercise, meditation, journaling, therapy, and connecting with supportive people.
Allies can play a crucial role by listening actively, affirming their experiences, advocating for change, and challenging biphobic attitudes.
How does social support buffer the effects of minority stress and promote mental health in bisexual individuals?
One possible explanation for this phenomenon is that social support can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness among bisexual individuals, which are known to be associated with increased risk of mental health problems (e. g. , depression, anxiety). Social support may also provide an important source of validation and affirmation, counteracting negative stereotypes and stigma faced by bisexual people.