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Cited by 29LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyHIV/AIDS Research and InterventionsGender and Feminist Studies

When sexual identity and sexual behaviors do not align: The prevalence of discordance and its physical and psychological health correlates.

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Mendelsohn, David M., Omoto, Allen M., Tannenbaum, Karen, Lamb, Christopher S.·2022·Stigma and Health
DOI 10.1037/sah0000338PMC PMC8974320
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Abstract

=116,950) from a statewide representative survey which included both a measure of sexual identity (i.e., identifying as "heterosexual", "bisexual", etc.) and a measure of sexual behaviors (i.e., indicating the sex of your sexual partners). Using these data, we examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual identity-behavior discordance (IBD), and also included data from bisexual-identified individuals. In support of our hypotheses, we found that sexual IBD was particularly prevalent among young-adult women. However, we did not find sex differences in the prevalence of IBD overall. Furthermore, individuals who were categorized as IBD also tended to report poorer physical health and psychological functioning than both heterosexual- and gay/lesbian-identified concordant individuals, as well as more negative behaviors typically associated with poor psychological functioning (i.e., binge drinking and suicidal ideation.) Our findings highlight the need for more sensitive instruments and measures assessing sexual orientation in both research and practice, as well as the need for continued study into the area of discordance, and particularly across other dimensions of sexuality (e.g., attraction).

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  1. Cass VC (1990). The implications of homosexual identity formation for the Kinsey model and scale of sexual preference. In McWhirter DP, Sanders SA, & Reinisch JM (Eds.), Homosexuality/heterosexuality: Concepts of sexual orientation (pp. 239– 266). Oxford University Press.
  2. Diamond LM (2008). Sexual fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire. Harvard University Press.
  3. Festinger L (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.
  4. Greene B (2003). Beyond heterosexism and across the cultural divide—developing an inclusive lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology: A look to the future. In Garnets L & Kimmel DC (Eds.), Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Experiences (pp. 357– 400). Columbia University Press.
  5. Institute of Medicine. (2011). The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/The-Health-of-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-and-Transgender-People.aspx. 22013611

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Authors
Mendelsohn, D. M., Omoto, A. M., Tannenbaum, K., & Lamb, C. S.
Affiliations
Claremont Graduate University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Stigma and Health
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2022-02
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
70-79
ISSN
  • 2376-6964 (ISSN-L)
  • 2376-6972
DOI
10.1037/sah0000338
PMC
PMC8974320
OpenAlex
W3196884822
Cited by
29
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2
FWCI
3.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Stigma and Health (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (1R03HD067407)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
Keywords
sexual orientation, sexual behavior, bisexual identity, young adult women, physical health, psychological functioning, binge drinking, suicidal ideation, sexual orientation measurement, sexual attraction

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