ABSTRACT

Bisexual people demonstrate higher rates of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in comparison to other groups. This study aimed to explore bisexual people’s experiences of sexuality, NSSI and the COVID19 pandemic. Fifteen bisexual people (16–25 years old) with experience of NSSI participated in online qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was used. Preliminary findings were shared with a subset of participants for member-checking. Participants described experiences of falling between the binary worlds of heterosexuality and homosexuality and described discrimination and invalidation related to this. Lack of access to positive bisexual representation contributed to feelings of self-loathing, with NSSI used to manage emotions or self-punish. The effect of lockdown was not clear cut, depending on personal circumstances and meanings of social interaction for participants. There is a need for greater recognition of significant societal narratives around bisexuality within clinical formulations of mental health difficulties and NSSI within this population.

摘要

与其他群体相比，双性恋者的非自杀性自伤 (NSSI) 发生率更高。本研究旨在探讨双性恋者的性体验、NSSI 和 COVID19 大流行。15 名具有 NSSI 经验的双性恋者（16-25 岁）参加了在线定性访谈。使用了主题分析。初步调查结果与一部分参与者共享，以供成员检查。参与者描述了在异性恋和同性恋二元世界之间落入的经历，并描述了与此相关的歧视和无效。缺乏积极的双性恋代表会导致自我厌恶感，NSSI 用于管理情绪或自我惩罚。封锁的效果并不明确，取决于参与者的个人情况和社交互动的意义。有必要更多地认识到这一人群中心理健康困难和 NSSI 的临床表现中围绕双性恋的重要社会叙述。