A recent study from the University of the Basque Country (EHU) has found that bisexual individuals experience higher levels of loneliness compared to homosexual and heterosexual people. The research, led by Garikoitz Azkona from the Psychobiology group, focused on the connection between sexual orientation, social support, and mental wellbeing.
The study surveyed participants in Navarre and the Basque Autonomous Community who identified as bisexual, homosexual, or heterosexual. According to the findings, 13% of bisexual respondents reported experiencing significant loneliness, while 64% indicated moderate loneliness. In contrast, most homosexual and heterosexual participants reported low levels of loneliness.
Azkona clarified that sexual orientation itself is not a direct predictor of loneliness. "In other words, one is not predestined to feel lonely because one is bisexual. The research showed that the direct determining factor is not sexual orientation. Whereas social support and mental wellbeing is."
The research highlighted that bisexual individuals tend to have less access to social support than their peers. When asked about having someone to turn to for company or help—either emotional or practical—bisexual respondents reported fewer available contacts than homosexuals or heterosexuals. This limited network was shown to reduce psychological wellbeing and increase feelings of isolation.
"Loneliness intensifies if someone does not feel that they are part of a community, and that seems to be particularly the case with bisexual individuals," said Azkona. He added: "In the case of homosexual individuals, the situation would appear to have changed; work has been done and, despite the fact that it is not a normative sexual orientation, the increase in acceptance by society and individuals has been achieved. Bisexuality, on the other hand, is still being questioned and there are many prejudices."
Researchers emphasized a need for action based on these results. "In the surveys we conducted for our research, in which many participants were young university students, we are increasingly seeing that more and more people are identifying as bisexual. For example, 22% in the ongoing study I am working on. Such high values used not to emerge a few years ago. If the number of people in the bisexual cohort is rising, and, as a society, if we are not ready, many will experience the loneliness revealed by our research. So if we want to improve the wellbeing of this population, we have to do our homework."
The team recommends two types of measures: individual strategies aimed at boosting self-esteem and support networks among bisexual people; and broader societal actions such as educational programs promoting respect for sexual diversity along with efforts supporting acceptance and integration of bisexuality into society.
