The impact of fluid attraction and fluid identity on stress, anxiety, and depression

Abstract

Introduction This study sought to determine whether gender, fluid identity, and fluid attraction groups differed significantly in stress, depression, and anxiety among LGBTQA + sexual minorities compared to non–sexual minorities. Methods Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), this study conducted two-way analyses of variance to determine whether male or female sexual minorities had significantly different levels of stress, depression, and anxiety when compared to non–sexual minorities. Individuals were also placed in one of eight groups based on sexual orientation, fluid identity, and fluid attraction to determine whether fluidity played a unique role in contributing to mental health. Results Results showed that both gender and fluidity accounted for 3.7% to 9.7% of the variance in stress (R 2 = 4.1%), depression (R 2 = 3.7%), and anxiety (R 2 = 9.7%). Non–sexual minorities who reported both fluid attraction and fluid identity also reported the highest rate of stress, anxiety, and depression, revealing that fluidity had a unique impact on mental health apart from sexual orientation. This consistent pattern did not occur among sexual minorities. Sexual minorities had varying degrees of stress, depression, and anxiety, depending on the combination of static or fluid attraction or identity. Conclusion Fluid attraction, fluid identity, and gender significantly impacted stress, depression, and anxiety regardless of sexual orientation.