Predictors of movement toward homosexuality: A longitudinal study of bisexual men

Abstract

We examined predictors of movement toward more homosexual sexual feelings among behaviorally bisexual men. Two hundred sixteen behaviorally bisexual men, recruited from diverse sources, were interviewed twice, with about one year between interviews. Predictor variables from domains of mental health, sexual behavior, demographics, and substance use were hypothesized to predict movement toward more homosexual sexual feelings. The sample as a whole moved toward the homosexual end of self‐rated sexual orientation from Time 1 to Time 2, although only about one third of the individual respondents did so. The men who moved toward homosexuality reported lower levels of depression and anxiety and higher self‐esteem at Time 1 than men who did not move. Sexual behavior with women but not with men was predictive of movement; men who shifted toward homosexuality reported fewer current and lifetime female sexual partners and a later age of first heterosexual activity than men who did not shift in this direction. In addition, men who moved toward homosexuality were more likely at Time 1 to fantasize about men during masturbation and less likely to use drugs with their male partners.