The relationship between women's sexual identity and perceived wellness

K. Ketz, T. Israel

Previous reports in the literature suggest that incongruence between sexual behavior and identity may have negative psychological consequences. ln this preliminary investigation, women who have had both female and male intimate partners and label themselves as bisexual were hypothesized to report higher levels af perceived wellness than women who have had both female and male intimate partners and label themselves as either heterosexual ar lesbian. Sixty-nine participants completed an anonymous questionnaire that included an assessment of sexual identity and behavior and the Perceived Wellness Survey ( PWS; Adams, Bezner, & Steinhardt, 1997). There were no significant differences between the two groups. The results suggest that there are no differences in perceived wellness between women who have sex with both women and men and identify as bisexual ar women who have sex with both women and men and identify as heterosexual or lesbian/gay.[Copies are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Center. The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580, USA]