Internalized Heterosexism and Depressive Symptoms Among Bisexual and Pansexual Women: The Mediating Role of Belonging to the LGBTQA+ Community

Few studies have examined differences in minority stress processes between women with varying bi+ identities. This study explored whether there were differences in internalized heterosexism, belonging to the LGBTQA+ community, and depressive symptoms between bisexual and pansexual women and whether the indirect relationship between internalized heterosexism and depressive symptoms via belonging to the LGBTQA+ community was conditional on sexual orientation. An international sample of 398 bisexual women and 248 pansexual women aged 18 to 68 years (M = 31.34, SD = 9.27) completed the Revised Internalized Homophobia Scale, LGBTQ Belongingness Attainment Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale online. Bisexual women scored significantly higher on internalized heterosexism and scored significantly lower on depressive symptoms and belonging to the LGBTQA+ community than pansexual women. The indirect effect of internalized heterosexism on depressive symptoms via belonging to the LGBTQA+ community was significant for bisexual women but not for pansexual women. Results add to the sparse literature, indicating the need to understand the unique minority stress experiences of women with different bi+ identities.