Positive identity as a buffer against suicidal ideation in bi+ young adults
The rates of suicidal ideation in LGBTQ+ individuals are clearly high. Today, I look at a study of Bi+ individuals. Katz, Chang, Dorrell, Selby & Feinstein (2023) published “Aspects of Positive Identity Buffer the Longitudinal Associations Between Discrimination and Suicidal Ideation Among Bi+ Young Adults” in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Here are the edited abstract and impact statements:
Prior research has demonstrated that discrimination is associated with suicidal ideation among bi + individuals, but little is known about resilience factors (both general and bi + specific) that may buffer these associations. This prospective study examined the main and interactive effects of antibisexual discrimination and resilience factors, including general resilience and positive bi + identity factors (community, authenticity, and intimacy), in predicting suicidal ideation at 1- and 2-month follow-up. Participants were bi + young adults (N = 396; ages 18–29; 42.7% cisgender men, 42.2% cisgender women, 15.2% transgender/gender diverse individuals; 37.9% racial and ethnic minority individuals) who completed measures of antibisexual discrimination (Brief Antibisexual Experiences Scale), positive bi + identity (Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Positive Identity Measure), general resilience (Brief Resilience Scale), and suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation) at baseline, and suicidal ideation again at 1- and 2-month follow-up. Greater antibisexual discrimination was significantly associated with increases in suicidal ideation at 1-month follow-up at low levels of community, authenticity, and intimacy, and increases in suicidal ideation at 2-month follow-up at low levels of authenticity. In addition, at high levels of authenticity, greater antibisexual discrimination was significantly associated with decreases in suicidal ideation at 1-month follow-up. In contrast, general resilience did not moderate the associations between antibisexual discrimination and suicidal ideation at 1- or 2-month follow-up.
The results of the present study suggest that positive aspects of one’s bi+ identity, but not general resilience, can buffer the mental health consequences of antibisexual discrimination, pointing to promising intervention targets to reduce suicidal ideation in this population. Promoting positive aspects of bi+ identity (community, authenticity, and intimacy) may help attenuate the effects of antibisexual discrimination on suicidal ideation over time.
What I loved about this study was the incorporation of both general measures of resilience and identity-specific measures (community, authenticity, and intimacy). It’s a fairly large and diverse sample. I find the data regarding authenticity especially compelling. The last sentence of the impact statement is what most convinced me to present the study.