Higher gender congruence reduces mental health disparities between homosexual and bisexual emerging adults
Abstract
Bisexual individuals experience disproportionately high rates of depression and anxiety relative to their homosexual peers. This study examined how gender congruence (GC)—a potential minority stressor— impacts longitudinal internalizing symptoms among bisexual (n= 96) and homosexual (n= 41) UVM students enrolled in the LEMURS project. GC was assessed once; depression and anxiety symptoms (DASS-21) were assessed at three timepoints. Multilevel models revealed that bisexuals reported more severe symptoms, though higher GC reduced these disparities. Greater alignment between one’s external presentation and gender identity, along with greater acceptance of this identity, may serve as a protective factor for the bisexual community.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Matthew Price
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Psychological Science
Primary Research Category
Clinical
Higher gender congruence reduces mental health disparities between homosexual and bisexual emerging adults
Bisexual individuals experience disproportionately high rates of depression and anxiety relative to their homosexual peers. This study examined how gender congruence (GC)—a potential minority stressor— impacts longitudinal internalizing symptoms among bisexual (n= 96) and homosexual (n= 41) UVM students enrolled in the LEMURS project. GC was assessed once; depression and anxiety symptoms (DASS-21) were assessed at three timepoints. Multilevel models revealed that bisexuals reported more severe symptoms, though higher GC reduced these disparities. Greater alignment between one’s external presentation and gender identity, along with greater acceptance of this identity, may serve as a protective factor for the bisexual community.
