Bisexuality and Health Care

Citation

Parsons, L. E. (2021). Bisexuality and Health Care. Journal of Bisexuality. pp. 1-15 , PMCID: PMC8158302

Abstract

Using data from the fourth wave of the National Study of Adolescent Health, this paper offers a preliminary investigation of factors implicated in the physical and mental health of bisexual individuals. The roles of sleep, socioeconomic status, feelings of disrespect, and reported lack of health insurance are considered. Further, this study examines depression as a psychological stress response and systemic inflammation as a physiological stress response. Systemic inflammation in this population was estimated using the biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP). Reported acute illness in the past month and blood pressure serve as measures of physical health outcomes. Analyses revealed a pattern of elevated CRP (>3mg/L) among participants who reported no health insurance coverage. For participants who reported no health insurance coverage and identified as mostly homosexual, bisexual, or mostly heterosexual, feelings of disrespect were associated both with their sleep outcomes as well as their total household income. Moreover, linear regression showed that CRP significantly predicted blood pressure values. These analyses serve to bring health disparities and specific considerations for individuals attracted to more than one gender further into scientific conversation. Suggestions for further study of bisexual minority stress and bisexual health are offered.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2020.1868036

Keyword(s)

Bisexuality

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Bisexuality

Author(s)

Parsons, L. E.

Year Published

2021

Pages

1-15

Edition

January 13, 2021

ISSN/ISBN

1529-9716

DOI

10.1080/15299716.2020.1868036

PMCID

PMC8158302

NIHMSID

NIHMS1695603

Reference ID

5897