Individual and Social Factors Related to Mental Health Concerns Among Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Brian Dodge, Indiana University; Phillip W. Schnarrs, Indiana University; Michael Reece, Indiana University; Omar Martinez, Indiana University; Gabriel Goncalves, Indiana University; David Malebranche, Emory University; Barbara Van Der Pol, Indiana University; Ryan Nix, Step Up Inc.; James Fortenberry, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-04-18
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Informa UK Limited
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2012.674862
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Bisexuality
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 223
• End Page: 245
• Grant/Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by the National Institutes of Health R21 HD059494 (Brian Dodge, PhD, Principal Investigator)
• Keywords: mental health; stress; social support; MSMW
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Research has not yet explored the potential impact of social stress, biphobia, and other factors on the mental health of bisexual men. In-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 75 men who engaged in bisexual behavior within the past six months. Interviewers explored potential mental health stressors and supports. Many participants reported personal and social challenges associated with bisexuality, which in turn influenced their mental health. Reported instances of stigma toward bisexuality, from both homosexual and heterosexual individuals, impacted participants’ feelings regarding their own sexualities. Isolation was also commonly reported. Programs are greatly needed that focus on the specific mental health and other concerns voiced by these men. Based on our study findings, such programs should emphasize self-acceptance, social network and community building, and ways to maximize available social support, similar to community-level empowerment interventions that have shown success among gay-identified men. Keywords: Bisexuality, Mental Health, Men Who Have Sex with Both Men and Women (MSMW), Stress, Social Support