The impact of fluid attraction and fluid identity on mental health

Citation

Redcay, Alex; Counselman-Carpenter, Elisabeth; & Proctor, Curtis (2019). The impact of fluid attraction and fluid identity on mental health. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health. vol. 23 (1) pp. 83-98

Abstract

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examined the impact of sexuality factors and satisfaction with partner on stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the impact of predictors such as sexuality factors and relationship satisfaction on the dependent variables: stress, anxiety, and depression. Three main results were discovered. First, sexual minority females who have lower levels of education and are dissatisfied with their relationship experience significantly higher stress, while sexual minority males do not differ from heterosexual males in terms of relationship satisfaction or stress. Second, sexual minority females who have lower levels of education and who are dissatisfied with their relationship experience significantly higher anxiety, while sexual minority males do not differ from heterosexual males in terms of relationship satisfaction or anxiety. Finally, female sexual minorities who have lower levels of education reported fluid attraction, fluid identity, dissatisfaction with their relationship, and have significantly higher depression when compared to male sexual minorities or heterosexuals. Further research should examine gender and fluidity in greater detail.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2018.1528915

Keyword(s)

Anxiety depression fluid attraction fluid identity satisfaction with partner sexual orientation stress

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health

Author(s)

Redcay, Alex
Counselman-Carpenter, Elisabeth
Proctor, Curtis

Year Published

2019

Volume Number

23

Issue Number

1

Pages

83-98

Edition

December 14, 2018

ISSN/ISBN

1935-9705

DOI

10.1080/19359705.2018.1528915

Reference ID

6667