Bisexual Relationships: Investigating the Impact of Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality on Relationship Satisfaction Among Female Same-Gender Couples
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Bisexual Relationships: Investigating the Impact of Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality on Relationship Satisfaction Among Female Same-Gender Couples Mary Rachel Nedela A Dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In Human Development April L. Few-Demo Erika L. Grafsky Katherine R. Allen Christine Kaestle December 12, 2019 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: bisexuality, bi-negativity, couples, relationship satisfaction Bisexual Relationships: Investigating the Impact of Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality on Relationship Satisfaction Among Female Same-Gender Couples Mary Rachel Nedela ABSTRACT Bisexual individuals experience negativity toward their identities from heterosexual as well as gay and lesbian individuals. While there is a large body of research on the negative mental health consequences due to bi-negativity among individuals who identify as bisexual, little research exists exploring the relational impacts of bi-negativity. Informed by symbolic interaction theory and minority stress theory, this study investigated the impacts of attitudes regarding bisexuality on relationship satisfaction in female same-gender couples with at least one bisexual-identified individual through the following research questions: (a) How, if at all, do the attitudes toward bisexuality of individual partners influence perceptions of relationship satisfaction? and (b) How do partners negotiate the influence of attitudes toward bisexuality on their relationship? To address these questions, data from semi-structured interviews of eight female same-gender couples were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methodology. Findings indicated that couples moved through a process of the following: pre-relationship factors, relationship formation, relational emotion work, and shared relational meaning. Couples additionally are influenced in each phase of the process by macrosystemic oppressions. Clinical implications to assist mental health professionals better serve these couples were determined. Bisexual Relationships: Investigating the Impact of Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality on Relationship Satisfaction Among Female Same-Gender Couples Mary Rachel Nedela GENERAL AUDIENCE ABSTRACT Bisexual individuals experience negativity toward their identities from heterosexual as well as gay and lesbian individuals. While there is a large body of research on the negative mental health consequences due to bi-negativity among individuals who identify as bisexual, more research is need on the relational impacts of bi-negativity. Informed by symbolic interaction theory and minority stress theory, this study investigated the impact of attitudes regarding bisexuality on relationship satisfaction in female same-gender couples with at least one bisexual-identified individual. Eight couples were interviewed, and data was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methodology. Findings indicated that couples moved through a process of the following: pre-relationship factors, relationship formation, relational emotion work, and shared relational meaning. Couples additionally are influenced in each phase of the process by macrosystemic oppressions. Clinical implications to assist mental health professionals better serve these couples were determined. DEDICATION To the couples who graciously allowed me a glimpse into their relationships, entrusting me with their stories. To the pioneers of the LGBT rights movements, fighting for visibility. To the many sexual and gender minority communities all over the world, continuing to fight for equal rights. I dedicate this dissertation to you. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my committee members: April Few-Demo, Erika Grafksy, Katherine Allen, and Christine Kaestle. Each of you have stretched my intellectual curiosity beyond my comfort zone to new and wonderous places. I am so grateful to have engaged in critical conversations regarding my research with each of you. I especially appreciate the guidance given by my co-chairs, Dr. Few- Demo and Dr. Grafsky. Dr. Few-Demo, I thank you for the continuous challenges to be critical with the presentation of my data. Dr. Grafsky, I thank you for being a steady sail through the storm. I am grateful to call you both my “academic moms.” Dr. Allen, I thank you for the passion you fostered in my research and pedagogy. Dr. Kaestle, thank you for helping me see the bigger picture with my research agenda. To my VT cohort: Jared, Xin, Jessica, Katarina, and Michelle. Our time together was not easy, filled with many twists and turns. I have learned so much from all of you during our time together, and I appreciate the endless support only you could provide. To my work wife, Michelle, there will never be another work spouse as awesome as you. It has been an honor to work alongside you and call you friend. To my VT friends: Each of you have made it easier to survive graduate school. I will miss the social gatherings and writing groups, and will continue to honor the extensive support system we have created. Emily, thank you for our one-on-ones and being my SEM partner. Evan, thank you for bring the Purdue-ness along to give me a confidence boost when I needed it. To the Sharkey’s crew: Jill, Libbie, Shelby, and Sonia. You are the wind beneath my wings. I am infinitely thankful for each of you and our time together. It has been an incredible experience to be a part of this group of strong, amazing women who are making big things happen in the world. Sonia, I thank you for being a helpful “big sis” through this process. Shelby, thank you for your endless statistics help. Libbie, thank you for the unconditional support you give to others. Jill, thank you for literally everything. I absolutely could not have completed this without your “dissertation coaching.” To UNLV faculty and students: I am a better professional due to my interactions with each of you. Sara, Kat, and Brandon, I thank you for the words of encouragement. Shaela, Valerie, and Lawrence, thank you for the validation, cheerleading, and assistance in maximizing my time to finish this document. Christa, Dakota, Emily, Amanda, Andrea, Cassondra, and Varsha- thank you for the time you devoted to transcribing, checking references, and formatting tables. You were instrumental to this process and I appreciate all of you. To my family: Thank you for giving me all the opportunities to reach this point. You have provided me with endless support and encouragement, even when the process didn’t make any sense to you. I love you all and hope to continue to make you proud. To my wife, Meagan. You have made all of this possible. Through the late nights and working weekends, you have kept our life afloat. You have been my compass through this program and completing this dissertation, keeping me grounded and motivated. Thank you for your patience when I needed to be absent, your impatience when I could and needed to be present, your v compassion when I was hurting, and your humor when I needed to relax. Above all, thank you for all the sacrifices you have made so that I could go on this journey and for consistently working so hard for our family. I appreciate you more than I could ever verbalize. Here’s to our next adventures! vi Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction 1 Background and Significance 1 History of Bisexuality Research 3 Binary Sexuality and Focus on Pathology 4 Paradigm Shift Around Bisexuality 6 Overview of the Study 8 Rationale for the Study 8 Purpose of the Study 11 Definitions 12 Bisexuality 12 Bi-negativity and Biphobia 14 Bi-erasure 15 Monosexual 15 Chapter Two: Literature Review 17 Introduction 17 Societal Influence 18 Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality 20 Stereotypes 20 Attitudes From Others 20 Bisexual Individuals’ Experiences with Bi-negativity 22 Intersectional Contexts 25 Relational Processes 31 Bi-erasure Through Monogamy 31 Relationship Satisfaction 34 Summary 38 Chapter Three: Theoretical Framework 40 Symbolic Interactionism 40 Assumptions and Key Concepts 41 Meanings for Behavior 42 Self-concept 42 Societal Influence 44 Strengths and Criticisms 45 Application to the Current Study 46 Minority Stress Theory 47 Assumptions and Key Concepts 47 Application to the Current Study 50 My Integrative Theoretical Framework 51 Chapter Four: Methods 54 Initial Study Design 54 Grounded Theory 55 Participants and Recruitment 56 Recruitment 56 Inclusion Criteria 57 Sample Demographics 57 vii Data Collection 58 Data Analysis 62 Rigor and Trustworthiness 64 Chapter Five: Findings 67 Brief Overview of the Process Model: How Couples Move Through Phases 67 Phase 1: Pre-Relationship Factors Influencing Attitude Development 69 Intrapsychic, Interpersonal, and Institutional Factors 69 Religion, Culture, and Family of Origin 70 Media Representation and Heteronormativity 72 Age and Cohort 73 Gender and Hypersexualization 74 Sexual Orientation Identity Development 76 Disclosure Experiences 77 Holding onto Heteronormative Identity 78 Avoidance of a Bisexual Identity 79 Parents’ Misunderstandings about Bisexuality 80 Previous Relationships 81 Interplay of Pre-Relationship Factors 83 Phase 2: Relationship Formation 83 General Stressors 84 Bi-negative Insecurity 86 Gender and Threats to Monogamy 86 Communication of Insecurities 87 Relationship Satisfaction 88 Relationship Viability 90 Relationship potential 90 Integration of a minority identity 91 Phase 3: Relational Emotion Work 93 Relational Meaning Making 94 Metacommunication 94 Techniques