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“It’s not just a fun little thing, it can be its own thing” A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of How Bisexual People Experience Their Sexuality and Identity

Udy, Victoria Helene LU and Kathi, Veronika LU (2024) PSPR14 20241
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Bisexual people are underrepresented in current scientific research on sexuality, with existing research showing contradicting findings. The aim of this study was to explore how bisexual individuals experience their sexuality and identity to build a better base of understanding for future research. The study was conducted within the research project “Factors affecting sexual satisfaction: An exploratory and cross-cultural examination of sexual and aesthetic ideals and norms, self-compassion and body awareness” at Lund University. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with bisexual people, seven women and three men. Analysis was done using reflexive thematic analysis which resulted in three themes: I know who I am, it’s everyone... (More)
Bisexual people are underrepresented in current scientific research on sexuality, with existing research showing contradicting findings. The aim of this study was to explore how bisexual individuals experience their sexuality and identity to build a better base of understanding for future research. The study was conducted within the research project “Factors affecting sexual satisfaction: An exploratory and cross-cultural examination of sexual and aesthetic ideals and norms, self-compassion and body awareness” at Lund University. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with bisexual people, seven women and three men. Analysis was done using reflexive thematic analysis which resulted in three themes: I know who I am, it’s everyone else that’s the problem which portrays the participants’ internal experience of their bisexual identity as something obvious, lasting and integral; I want to be myself but… which portrays how external norms inhibited the participants’ freedom; and To be sexually unbound which explores how participants experienced freedom as well as restraints in their sexual practice. These themes are presented as three different facets of sexuality which are all necessary to fully understand participants’ experience of their sexuality and identity. The themes aligned with previous research regarding experienced bi-negativity coming both from heterosexual and LGBTQ+ groups which perpetuates bisexual erasure. Participants expressed being able to move between worlds but also needing to negotiate both heteronormative and queer sexual scripts. Future research is urged to explore how the unique position of bisexual people in society affects wellbeing and to have a more open approach when researching sexuality. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Bisexuella personer är underrepresenterade i nuvarande forskning om sexualitet. Den
forskning som finns om bisexuellas sexualitet visar motstridiga resultat. Syftet med studien var därför att utforska hur bisexuella upplever sin sexualitet och identitet, och på så vis skapa en bättre grund för framtida forskning. Studien genomfördes inom forskningsprojektet “Faktorer som påverkar den sexuella tillfredsställelsen: En explorativ och tvärkulturell undersökning av sexuella och estetiska ideal, självmedkänsla och kroppsmedvetenhet” på Lunds universitet. Tio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med bisexuella personer, sju kvinnor och tre män. Reflexiv tematisk analys användes för att analysera intervjuerna vilket
resulterade i tre teman:... (More)
Bisexuella personer är underrepresenterade i nuvarande forskning om sexualitet. Den
forskning som finns om bisexuellas sexualitet visar motstridiga resultat. Syftet med studien var därför att utforska hur bisexuella upplever sin sexualitet och identitet, och på så vis skapa en bättre grund för framtida forskning. Studien genomfördes inom forskningsprojektet “Faktorer som påverkar den sexuella tillfredsställelsen: En explorativ och tvärkulturell undersökning av sexuella och estetiska ideal, självmedkänsla och kroppsmedvetenhet” på Lunds universitet. Tio semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med bisexuella personer, sju kvinnor och tre män. Reflexiv tematisk analys användes för att analysera intervjuerna vilket
resulterade i tre teman: Det är självklart för mig, det är alla andra som är problemet vilket beskriver deltagarnas interna upplevelse av sin bisexualitet som en självklar, varaktig och viktig identitet; Jag vill vara mig själv men… vilket beskriver hur externa normer hämmade deltagarnas frihet; och Att vara sexuellt frigjord vilket utforskar hur deltagarna upplevde frihet och begränsningar i sitt sexliv. Dessa teman presenteras som tre olika facetter av sexualitet som alla behövs för att fullt förstå deltagarnas upplevelse av sin sexualitet och identitet. Resultatet var i linje med tidigare forskning om att binegativitet upplevs komma
från både heterosexuella och hbtq+ grupper, vilket vidmakthåller osynliggörandet av
bisexualitet. Deltagarna beskrev hur de kunde röra sig mellan olika delar av samhället men att de samtidigt behövde förhålla sig till både heteronormativa och queera sexuella skript. Framtida forskning bör undersöka hur bisexuella individers unika position i samhället påverkar deras välmående och uppmanas att ha en öppen ansats vid sexualitetsforskning. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Udy, Victoria Helene LU and Kathi, Veronika LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSPR14 20241
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Sexuality, bisexuality, bi-negativity, sexual satisfaction, sexual identity, Sexualitet, bisexualitet, binegativitet, sexuell tillfredsställelse, sexuell identitet
language
English
id
9153643
date added to LUP
2024-05-23 13:30:01
date last changed
2024-05-23 13:30:01
@misc{9153643,
  abstract     = {{Bisexual people are underrepresented in current scientific research on sexuality, with existing research showing contradicting findings. The aim of this study was to explore how bisexual individuals experience their sexuality and identity to build a better base of understanding for future research. The study was conducted within the research project “Factors affecting sexual satisfaction: An exploratory and cross-cultural examination of sexual and aesthetic ideals and norms, self-compassion and body awareness” at Lund University. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with bisexual people, seven women and three men. Analysis was done using reflexive thematic analysis which resulted in three themes: I know who I am, it’s everyone else that’s the problem which portrays the participants’ internal experience of their bisexual identity as something obvious, lasting and integral; I want to be myself but… which portrays how external norms inhibited the participants’ freedom; and To be sexually unbound which explores how participants experienced freedom as well as restraints in their sexual practice. These themes are presented as three different facets of sexuality which are all necessary to fully understand participants’ experience of their sexuality and identity. The themes aligned with previous research regarding experienced bi-negativity coming both from heterosexual and LGBTQ+ groups which perpetuates bisexual erasure. Participants expressed being able to move between worlds but also needing to negotiate both heteronormative and queer sexual scripts. Future research is urged to explore how the unique position of bisexual people in society affects wellbeing and to have a more open approach when researching sexuality.}},
  author       = {{Udy, Victoria Helene and Kathi, Veronika}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“It’s not just a fun little thing, it can be its own thing” A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of How Bisexual People Experience Their Sexuality and Identity}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}