Professional Biases Versus Research
Since professionals are also influenced by the dominant culture and social environment, service providers may bring their own biases to their work with bisexuals. They may be inclined to view individuals who used to have, or who continue to have, sexual relations with both men and women—transitionally, sequentially, or concurrently—as psychologically or emotionally damaged, as developmentally immature, or as having a personality disorder. Individuals classified under the last category are generally labeled as having a borderline personality disorder, with changing sexual behavior manifesting as a symptom of poor impulse control or acting-out behavior. According to Fox (1996), however, “research has found no evidence of psychopathology or psychological maladjustment in bisexual women and men” (p. 154). After reviewing the literature, Fox reported that numerous studies have found just the opposite. In particular, self-identified bisexuals have been found to possess, among other attributes, high self-esteem, high self-confidence, and a positive self-concept independent of social norms (p. 155).