Aspects of Positive Identity Buffer the Longitudinal Associations Between Discrimination and Suicidal Ideation Among Bi+ Young Adults

Objective: Prior research has demonstrated that discrimination is associated with suicidal ideation among bi+ individuals, but little is known about resilience factors (both general and bi+ specific) that may buffer these associations. This prospective study examined the main and interactive effects of antibisexual discrimination and resilience factors, including general resilience and positive bi+ identity factors (community, authenticity, and intimacy), in predicting suicidal ideation at 1 and 2-month follow-up. Method: Participants were bi+ young adults (N = 396; ages 18–29; 42.7% cisgender men, 42.2% cisgender women, 15.2% transgender/gender diverse individuals; 37.9% racial and ethnic minority individuals) who completed measures of antibisexual discrimination (Brief Antibisexual Experiences Scale), positive bi+ identity (Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Positive Identity Measure), general resilience (Brief Resilience Scale), and suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation) at baseline, and suicidal ideation again at 1 and 2-month follow-up. Results: Greater antibisexual discrimination was significantly associated with increases in suicidal ideation at 1-month follow-up at low levels of community, authenticity, and intimacy, and increases in suicidal ideation at 2-month follow-up at low levels of authenticity. In addition, at high levels of authenticity, greater antibisexual discrimination was significantly associated with decreases in suicidal ideation at 1-month follow-up. In contrast, general resilience did not moderate the associations between antibisexual discrimination and suicidal ideation at 1-or 2-month follow-up. Conclusions: Results suggest that promoting positive aspects of bi+ identity (community, authenticity, and intimacy), but not general resilience, may help attenuate the effects of antibisexual discrimination on suicidal ideation over time.