Keywords
Bisexual, sexual fluidity, bisexuals, bisexuality, homosexuality, sexuality, identity formation, sexual identity, gay and lesbian
Abstract
This study explores the identity development and psychological adjustment of bisexual individuals (n = 138) as compared to homosexual (n = 45) and heterosexual participants (n = 558). Undergraduate students recruited from psychology classes at a large metropolitan university in Florida (67% female, 65% Caucasian) took an online survey for course extra credit. Bisexual and homosexual participants scored higher in identity exploration than the heterosexual participants. Bisexual participants scored significantly higher in psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. The three groups were not significantly different in identity commitment nor in identity distress. Female bisexual participants scored more similar to the homosexual participants in identity exploration, while the male bisexual participants were more similar to the heterosexual participants. Among males, bisexual and homosexual participants reported greater psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. There were no differences between groups for female participants in regard to symptom severity. This study highlights the need for more research into the psychological correlates of bisexuality as a distinct group from homosexuality, as well as the need to focus on gender as a significant moderator of these relationships.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2013
Semester
Summer
Advisor
Berman, Steven
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree Program
Psychology Clinical
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0004844
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0004844
Language
English
Release Date
August 2013
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
Subjects
Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences, Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic
STARS Citation
Fuoss, Jessica, "Bisexuality And Identity Formation" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2628.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2628