![]() This represents a gap in our understanding of bisexual people’s experiences, given that previous research on other marginalized populations suggests that identity invalidation is conceptually distinct and has unique consequences from other forms of discrimination ( Franco & Durkee, 2019). While previous research has broadly focused on bisexual-specific discrimination and microaggressions, identity invalidation has received limited attention as a unique form of discrimination. One additional, yet understudied, form of discrimination that bisexual people may experience is identity invalidation-experiences in which others deny, negate, or refuse to accept an individual’s identity ( Franco & O’Brien, 2018 Johnson, LeBlanc, Deardorff, & Bockting, 2019). For example, there are unique stereotypes about bisexual people, and they face discrimination from heterosexual as well as gay and lesbian individuals. These findings suggest that identity invalidation is a common experience among bisexual people and it may be an important intervention target.īisexual people experience the worst mental health outcomes of any sexual orientation group ( Plöderl & Tremblay, 2015 Ross, Salway, Tarasoff, MacKay, Hawkins, & Fehr, 2018 Salway et al., 2019), and this is due, in part, to the unique forms of discrimination that they experience (see Feinstein & Dyar, 2017). Participants described consequences of identity invalidation including negative emotions, identity-related challenges, and relational difficulties. They described five perceived reasons: (1) others did not understand or accept bisexuality (2) the gender of their partner did not fit with others’ beliefs about bisexuality (3) others believed they were confused (4) others believed they were “faking” it and (5) others rejected bisexuality for religious reasons. Most participants (85%) had experienced identity invalidation. Three coders analyzed the data using a consensual qualitative research approach, and the coding scheme was confirmed by two auditors. Fifty-two bisexual and other non-monosexual (e.g., pansexual, queer) participants completed a qualitative survey that asked them to describe their most stressful experience of identity invalidation. As such, the goals of the current study were to examine manifestations of bisexual identity invalidation and their consequences for wellbeing, identity, and relationships. ![]() Franco has received numerous awards for her research and service including awards from the National Institute of Health and Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.īisexual people face unique stressors related to their sexual orientation, but identity invalidation (experiences in which others deny, negate, or refuse to accept an individual’s identity) has received limited empirical attention. She has also done research on people of mixed-race heritage in Trinidad and Tobago. ![]() She received an international grant to conduct research in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti which involved culturally adapting an intervention. She coined the term “identity incongruent discrimination” to describe discrimination based in how one is perceived, rather than how one identifies. Specifically, she has focused on experiences of racial identity invalidation for Multiracial people, and also on discrimination and health for people of African-descent. Her research focuses on complicating portraits of identity and identity-related stress. She is currently an assistant professor in the Counseling Psychology department at Georgia State. Marisa Franco received her Phd and Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology at The University of Maryland. Feinstein is also a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois. He is also interested in developing and testing interventions to improve health and relationships in these populations. He is interested in understanding how different types of stress (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma, rejection sensitivity) influence mental health, substance use, sexual risk behavior, and relationship functioning among SGM individuals and couples. His program of research focuses on understanding and reducing the health disparities affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, especially bisexual and other non-monosexual individuals. He is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) at Northwestern University. Notes on contributorsBrian Feinstein received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University in 2015.
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