GENDER AS A MODERATOR OF COVID RACIAL BIAS AND COVID-RELATED ANXIETY IN BISEXUAL PEOPLE OF COLOR

In recent years, there has been an increase in research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. However, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this population has been disproportionally affected, due to long-term discrimination and systemic oppression. Bisexual People of Color (POC), especially, have faced distinct challenges, including identity erasure, which may have been exacerbated through the time of the pandemic, alongside the experience of COVID-19 racial bias and related anxiety. Furthermore, research may also suggest potential differences in social experiences based on their gender. Given the lack of representation and research on Bisexual POC and the intersectional oppression that was magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between COVID-racial bias and related anxiety. This relationship was examined using a moderation analysis, with gender as the moderator. Results from the linear regression on COVID racial bias and COVID-related anxiety show that COVID racial bias is a significant predictor of COVID anxiety; gender was also found to be a significant moderator between COVID-racial bias and COVID-related anxiety. Health psychologists and healthcare professionals could further use this research finding to implement COVID-specific racial bias and COVID-related anxiety screenings for patients, prior to the appointment with their clinician.