MacKay Jenna, Robinson Margaret, Pinder Sarah, Ross Lori E
Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2017;87(1):52-61. doi: 10.1037/ort0000184. Epub 2016 May 5.
Bisexual people constitute the largest sexual minority group in North America and experience significant mental health disparities in relation to heterosexuals, gays, and lesbians. In this article, we will examine the process and experience of help seeking among bisexuals. This was a community-based study that collected qualitative interview data from 41 diverse bisexual people from across Ontario, Canada. We analyzed the interview data using grounded theory and constructed an understanding of bisexuals' experiences of help seeking. We have conceptualized an overarching model that illustrates 4 interrelated stages: (a) the consideration of services, (b) the process of finding services, (c) barriers and facilitators to accessing services, and (d) experience of service utilization. This model is nonlinear, in that participants do not necessarily move through stages in sequence. Although many stages are experienced at the individual level, they are simultaneously informed by multiple factors at interpersonal and system levels. Our findings suggest a need for interventions at the policy, service and provider levels to improve accessibility of culturally competent services for this population. Understanding the mental health experiences of bisexual people will allow mental health professionals to build competencies working with this population and thereby contribute to a reduction in mental health disparities. (PsycINFO Database Record
双性恋者是北美最大的性少数群体，与异性恋者、男同性恋者和女同性恋者相比，他们在心理健康方面存在显著差异。在本文中，我们将探讨双性恋者寻求帮助的过程和经历。这是一项基于社区的研究，从加拿大安大略省各地41名不同的双性恋者那里收集了定性访谈数据。我们运用扎根理论分析访谈数据，构建了对双性恋者寻求帮助经历的理解。我们构思了一个总体模型，该模型阐述了4个相互关联的阶段：(a) 对服务的考虑，(b) 寻找服务的过程，(c) 获取服务的障碍和促进因素，以及 (d) 服务利用体验。该模型是非线性的，因为参与者不一定按顺序经历各个阶段。尽管许多阶段是在个体层面经历的，但它们同时受到人际和系统层面多种因素的影响。我们的研究结果表明，需要在政策、服务和提供者层面进行干预，以提高为该人群提供具有文化胜任力服务的可及性。了解双性恋者的心理健康经历将使心理健康专业人员具备与该人群合作的能力，从而有助于减少心理健康差异。（PsycINFO数据库记录）
