The Problem With ‘Behavioral Bisexuality

Assessing Sexual Orientation in Survey Research

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12759285
AutoresGreta R Bauer (0000-0003-0663-7160, Western University, autor de correspondencia), David J Brennan (0000-0002-7663-9869, University of Toronto)
Año2013
Volumen13
Número2
Páginas148-165
Fecha de publicación2013-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Bisexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1529-9716 • E-ISSN: 1529-9724
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15299716.2013.782260
OpenAlexW2041162270
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas33
Referencias citadas39

Researchers often use survey items on sexual behavior to classify respondents' sexual orientation. Such measures require two sex partners (one male, one female) within a specified period for classification as bisexual, but only one for classification as homosexual or heterosexual. Using 2002 U.S. National Survey of Family Growth data, this proof-of-concept analysis demonstrates that observed effects of ‘behavioral bisexuality’on substance use and sexual health outcomes may thus be tautologically due to encoded differentials in sex partner number, rather than a function of bisexuality as typically defined or practiced. Effects were largely and consistently attenuated when a floor value of two sex partners was consistently applied to all orientation groups. Past-year behavioral bisexuality performed poorly as a proxy measure for either bisexual identity or lifetime bisexual behavioral history. Research using such measures must be interpreted with caution, and researchers are urged to consider alternate coding strategies or conduct sensitivity analyses

Coding (social sciences · Developmental psychology · Gender identity · Proxy (statistics · Sexual behavior · Sexual orientation · Survey research · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology