Columbia Mailman School of Public Health: Bisexual Men on the “Down Low” Run Risk for Poor Mental Health

First study to look at the mental health of closeted bisexuals finds that concealment takes a toll. Dr. Eric Schrimshaw, Ph.D and colleagues at Columbia found that greater concealment correlated with more symptoms of depression and anxiety and lower positive emotions. However, disclosure to a few close friends or family did not seem to help; disclosure to confidants was not associated with good mental health.

Bisexual Men on the “Down Low” Run Risk for Poor Mental Health – Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Article

The findings indicate that publically disclosing their same-sex behavior may not be necessary to their mental health, as long as bisexual men have adequate emotional support to cope with other stressors in their lives. Professionals who do therapeutic work with bisexual men may wish to focus instead on helping such men reduce their perceived need to conceal their same-sex behavior and accept their sexual orientation.

SOURCE: www.mailman.columbia.edu

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