An Examination of Protective Factors for Bisexual Stigma and Alcohol Use among Heavy Drinking Young Bisexual Women

Abstract

Bisexual women are an at-risk population for hazardous drinking. One factor contributing to their risk is binegativity (discrimination from heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities). Research has found a positive association between binegativity and alcohol use, but few studies have explored protective factors (bisexual identity affirmation, connectedness to bisexual community) that may buffer this relationship. Consequently, we examined the impact of bisexual identity and connectedness on the association between binegativity and alcohol use and problems. Participants were 225 self-identified young bisexual women 18 to 30 years old (M = 22.77, SD = 3.45) who reported heavy drinking at least once in the past month. Participants completed an online survey about their experiences of binegativity, alcohol use and problems, bisexual identity, and connectedness to the bisexual community. Results revealed that binegativity was positively associated with connectedness, but not bisexual identity. Binegativity was positively associated with alcohol use and alcohol problems, but moderation analyses revealed that neither identity nor connectedness impacted these associations. Thus, although binegativity was linked to greater alcohol use and problems, bisexual identity and connectedness did not serve as protective factors. It may be that bisexual women who are more “out” have a stronger connection to the bisexual community. However, they may experience greater external stigma within the sexual minoritized community due to their sexual attractions and relationships with both men and women. Future research is needed to identify other protective factors for the bisexual community.

Keywords:

• Binegativity
• bisexual women
• protective factors
• alcohol use
• alcohol problems

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Participants who identified as transgender were removed from the analysis due to low n (n = 1).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa C. Rothstein

Melissa C. Rothstein is a doctoral student in the Behavioral Science program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island. Her research explores influences (e.g., peer influence, impulsivity, environmental context) as is relates to alcohol use and cannabis use among young adults.

Christina T. Schulz

Christina T. Schulz is a Health Program Administrator for the state of Rhode Island, and she graduated with her Ph.D. in Behavioral Science from the University of Rhode Island. Her research primarily focuses on problematic substance use (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, opioid) among marginalized communities.

Sabrina M. Todaro

Sabrina M. Todaro is a doctoral candidate at the University of Rhode Island in the Department of Psychology’s Behavioral Science program. Her research is focused on the social, cognitive, and contextual factors that affect the use of protective strategies for substance use. 

Amy L. Stamates

Amy L. Stamates is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Faculty Core of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Rhode Island. Her research examines antecedents and consequences of risky alcohol and other substance use patterns among young adults.

Sarah J. Ehlke

Sarah J. Ehlke is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Old Dominion University. Her research examines factors related to tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol use among sexual minority women.

Michelle L. Kelley

Michelle L. Kelley is Professor of Psychology and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University. Her work focuses on mental health and well-being of at-risk individuals and their families.