Bisexual Men'S Sexual Health: A Test Of Minority Stress Theory

Although bisexual men in the United States are at elevated risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV relative to heterosexual and other sexual minority groups, few studies have examined factors that contribute to sexual health risk in this population. Using a sample of 505 self-identified bisexual men, the present study extended minority stress theory research by testing the unique relations of antibisexual stressors (antibisexual discrimination, internalized biphobia, and bisexual identity concealment) and substance use with risky sexual behaviors. The indirect relation of antibisexual discrimination with risky sexual behaviors via a chain of mediated relations involving internalized biphobia, concealment, and substance use was also tested. Results of a path analysis indicated that antibisexual discrimination yielded significant positive relations with internalized biphobia, concealment, and risky sexual behaviors. Internalized biphobia yielded a significant positive relation with substance use, and substance use yielded significant unique positive direct associations with risky sexual behaviors. Antibisexual discrimination was significantly indirectly related to risky sexual behaviors via a unique path through internalized biphobia and substance use. Limitations of this study as well as implications of these findings for clinical practice and future research with bisexual men are discussed.