Dimensions of Binegativity Differentially Predict Drinking to Cope Motivations and Alcohol Use Severity Among Bisexual Women

Research indicates that bisexual women experience greater stigmatization and discrimination compared to lesbian women. Such oppression is described as binegativity and is associated with alcohol use among bisexual women. Specifically, previous research has suggested that bisexual women may drink to cope in an effort to self-medicate from experiences of binegativity. Although substantial research has been conducted with regard to drinking behaviors among at-risk groups, research has yet to identify which specific types of binegativity may be most predictive of drinking outcomes among bisexual women. Consequently, the present study sought to examine the predictive utility of three dimensions of binegativity: (a) sexual orientation instability (e.g., the perception of bisexuality as an illegitimate sexual orientation), (b) sexual irresponsibility (e.g., the stereotype that bisexual persons are oversexualized or sexually promiscuous), and (c) interpersonal hostility (e.g., the alienation and uncomfortability with bisexual identification), on drinking to cope motivations and alcohol use severity. Participants were 225 self-identified bisexual women between the ages of 18 and 30 years (Mean = 22.77, SD = 3.45) who participated in a larger study about health behaviors among bisexual women. Multiple regressions revealed that, compared to other binegativity dimensions, sexual irresponsibility was the strongest predictor of typical alcohol use, drinking to cope motivations, and alcohol use severity. Thus, bisexual women who are stereotyped to be sexually promiscuous are at particular risk for problematic alcohol use. Prevention and intervention efforts should target stress associated with experiences of oversexualized stigmatizations, in an effort to reduce alcohol-related risk among bisexual women.