Exploring the Effect of Anti-Bisexual Experiences on Perceived Stress and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Bisexual Individuals: The Role of Self-Compassion and Outness

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the potential relationships between anti-bisexual experiences of discrimination, self-compassion, outness, and eudaimonic well-being in an exclusively bisexual sample. Research questions and hypotheses were developed through the lens of a minority stress framework, given the unique stressors and vulnerability that the bisexual community faces compared to heterosexual and other sexual minorities. Bisexual individuals (N = 319) completed an online survey regarding their experiences with anti-bisexual discrimination, self-compassion, the degree of concealment and disclosure of their bisexual identity, as well as their levels of eudaimonic well-being. This study explored relationships between variables utilizing regression and moderation analysis. Results indicated that though no moderation effects were present, there were significant main effects found between study variables. Higher self-compassion was associated with less concealment and higher eudaimonic well-being. Disclosing about bisexual identity led to more anti-bisexual experiences. As there are so few studies examining these constructs in the context of bisexual-specific populations, more research is needed to replicate and expand on these findings.