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Minority Stress and Mental Health in Italian Bisexual People

Author

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  • Cristiano Scandurra

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy)

  • Andrea Pennasilico

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy)

  • Concetta Esposito

    (SInAPSi Center, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Mezza

    (SInAPSi Center, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

  • Roberto Vitelli

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Bochicchio

    (Department of Humanities, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Nelson Mauro Maldonato

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy)

  • Anna Lisa Amodeo

    (Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy)

Abstract

Bisexual people are a strongly stigmatized population experiencing health disparities caused by social stigmatization. The predominant framework helping to understand these health disparities and the impact of stigma on mental health of social groups belonging to a sexual minority identity constitutes the minority stress theory. In Italy, studies assessing this model in bisexual populations are very limited. Within this framework, the current study aimed at assessing in 381 Italian bisexual individuals (62 men and 319 women) the effects of anti-bisexual discrimination, proximal stressors (i.e., anticipated binegativity, internalized binegativity, and outness), and resilience on psychological distress. The results suggested that only anti-bisexual discrimination and internalized binegativity were positively associated with psychological distress, and that resilience was negatively associated with mental health issues. Furthermore, the results suggested that internalized binegativity mediated the relationship between anti-bisexual discrimination and mental health problems. No moderating effect of resilience was found. This is the first study to have thoroughly applied minority stress in Italian bisexual people, providing Italian clinicians and researchers with an outline of the associations between minority stress, stigma, resilience, and psychological distress within this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristiano Scandurra & Andrea Pennasilico & Concetta Esposito & Fabrizio Mezza & Roberto Vitelli & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Anna Lisa Amodeo, 2020. "Minority Stress and Mental Health in Italian Bisexual People," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:4:p:46-:d:343522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meyer, Ilan H. & Schwartz, Sharon & Frost, David M., 2008. "Social patterning of stress and coping: Does disadvantaged social statuses confer more stress and fewer coping resources?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 368-379, August.
    2. Conron, K.J. & Mimiaga, M.J. & Landers, S.J., 2010. "A population-based study of sexual orientation identity and gender differences in adult health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(10), pages 1953-1960.
    3. Bostwick, W.B. & Boyd, C.J. & Hughes, T.L. & McCabe, S.E., 2010. "Dimensions of sexual orientation and the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in the United States," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(3), pages 468-475.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marina Miscioscia & Mikael Poli & Alessio Gubello & Alessandra Simonelli & Michela Gatta & Jorge Gato & Paola Rigo, 2022. "Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Italian LGBT+ Young Adults’ Mental Health: The Role of Neuroticism and Family Climate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Cristiano Scandurra & Concetta Esposito & Francesco Fantacci & Lorenzo Borrello & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Daniel Giunti & Paolo Antonelli, 2023. "Social Support, Identity Affirmation, and Psychological Well-Being: A Developmental and Intersectional Comparison between Italian Cisgender and Non-Binary People with Bisexual Orientation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Cristiano Scandurra & Benedetta Muzii & Roberto La Rocca & Francesco Di Bello & Mario Bottone & Gianluigi Califano & Nicola Longo & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Francesco Mangiapia, 2022. "Social Support Mediates the Relationship between Body Image Distress and Depressive Symptoms in Prostate Cancer Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-10, April.
    4. Selene Mezzalira & Cristiano Scandurra & Fabrizio Mezza & Marina Miscioscia & Marco Innamorati & Vincenzo Bochicchio, 2022. "Gender Felt Pressure, Affective Domains, and Mental Health Outcomes among Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Developmental and Clinical Implication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-25, December.

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