Ecological Analysis of Bisexual Identity and Health Access: An Interpretive Critical Inquiry
Abstract
Ecological Analysis of Bisexual Identity and Health Access: An Interpretive Critical Inquiry (May 2019) This interpretive critical inquiry was aimed at coming to understand the experiences of self-identified bisexuals, and how bisexual health disparities occur due to misunderstandings of bisexual identity and institutional barriers that foster biphobia. This study was carried out in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Purposive sampling was used to select 36 self-identified bisexuals as study participants. The data collection included participant observations ethnographic interviews, focus groups, and document analyses and occurred over a 19-month period between January 2017 and July 2018. The focus groups and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Lincoln and Guba’s approach to content analysis. Based on the themes and subthemes that emerged, the experiences of bisexual healthcare experiences seemed to yield positive self-image that is complicated by how society construes their sexuality. Overall, participants did experience different obstacles in accessing healthcare, there is a lack of bisexual social spaces to socialize, and face discrimination from both the heterosexual and homosexual communities. One key theme is how bisexual identity is often collapsed with other identities such as men who have sex with men (MSM) or women who have sex with women (WSW). Typically, within the academic literature bisexuality as an identity is synonymous with gay or lesbian identities. This folding of bisexuals into broader categories (MSM, gay, etc.) is based on sexual behavior rather than one’s sexual chosen identity. The majority of the participants appeared to be resilient and have a positive self-image of bisexuality. Many said their bisexuality is an important aspect of their social identity. Results indicate that when bisexuals seek medical care there is considerable variation in how they receive medical care. The conclusion includes implications for public health planning, community practitioners, and, state systems; recommendations for future research; and three working hypotheses.
Citation
Pavao, Carlos (2019). Ecological Analysis of Bisexual Identity and Health Access: An Interpretive Critical Inquiry. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /184945.