Sexual orientation, gender, and alcohol use in a cohort study of U.S. adolescent girls and boys

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority youth may be at elevated risk for alcohol use relative to heterosexual youth, but the reasons underlying higher rates and whether there may be gender differences in risk are not known. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data from 9731 early and middle adolescent girls and boys in the Growing Up Today Study in 1999 were examined to assess sexual orientation and gender patterns in alcohol use. Multivariable regression models estimated associations between sexual orientation and alcohol-related behaviors, such as binge drinking and drinking before age 12 years. Models controlled for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, with heterosexuals as the reference. RESULTS: Girls who described themselves as "mostly heterosexual" and lesbian/bisexual girls were at elevated risk compared to heterosexual girls on almost all alcohol-related behaviors and exposures. "Mostly heterosexual" boys were also at elevated risk. No significant differences in alcohol-related behaviors were observed between gay/bisexual and heterosexual boys. Gender-by-sexual orientation interactions were statistically significant for LGB but not other orientations, indicating that lesbian/bisexual girls experienced elevated risk above and beyond that of gay/bisexual boys relative to same-gender heterosexual peers. CONCLUSIONS: In early and middle adolescence, sexual minority girls and "mostly heterosexual" boys experienced consistent patterns of elevated risk for alcohol use.     

Substance Use and Sexual Orientation Among East and Southeast Asian Adolescents in Canada

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between substance use and sexual orientation among Asian adolescents in Canada. We analyzed an East and Southeast Asian subsample of a province-wide, school-based survey (weighted N = 51,349). Compared to heterosexual adolescents of the same gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual adolescents were more likely to use alcohol, marijuana, or other illicit drugs. Particularly, sexual minority girls were at increased risk for substance use. The findings suggest the need for substance use prevention interventions that are sensitive to gender, sexual orientation, and culture.     

Substance Use and Sexual Orientation among East and Southeast Asian Adolescents in Canada

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between substance use and sexual orientation among Asian adolescents in Canada. We analyzed an East- and Southeast-Asian subsample of a province-wide, school-based survey (weighted N = 51,349). Compared to heterosexual adolescents of the same gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual adolescents were more likely to use alcohol, marijuana, or other illicit drugs. Particularly, sexual minority girls were at increased risk for substance use. The findings suggest the need for substance use prevention interventions that are sensitive to gender, sexual orientation, and culture.     

Waterpipe tobacco smoking among sexual minorities in the United States: Evidence from the National Adult Tobacco Survey (2012-2014)

ObjectiveThe current study examined differences in waterpipe smoking (both lifetime and current) comparing sexual minority populations - those identifying with lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity - to their heterosexual counterparts using a nationally representative dataset.MethodsThe current study used pooled data from the 2012–2013 & 2013–2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS). Log-Poisson multivariable regression models were deployed to determine the prevalence of waterpipe smoking behavior among sexual minority individuals controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and stratified by current gender status.ResultsIn fully-adjusted models assessing lifetime WTS, lesbian/gay and bisexual respondents reported higher prevalence of WTS compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This trend held true in gender-stratified models among gay men [gay men: PR 1.25, 95%CI [1.06, 1.47] and women ([lesbians: PR 1.38, 95%CI [1.12, 1.69] and bisexual women: 1.69, 95%CI [1.45, 1.97]). In fully-adjusted models assessing current WTS, lesbian/gay and bisexual respondents reported higher risk of WTS compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This trend held true in gender-stratified models, only for among gay men [gay men: PR 1.56, 95%CI [1.18, 2.05] and bisexual women: 2.38, 95%CI [1.84, 3.09]).ConclusionsAmong the US general adult population, sexual minorities exhibited increased prevalence of current waterpipe smoking compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This pattern is also shaped by gender and variation of sexual orientation identification (e.g., lesbian/gay vs. bisexual). This warrants development of tailored interventions aimed at decreasing waterpipe smoking among sexual minority populations.     

Differences in club drug use between heterosexual and lesbian/bisexual females

Although there has been much empirical research documenting current trends in club drug use among gay and bisexual men, little research has addressed the variance among lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual women. Using data collected through time-space sampling from dance clubs in New York City during 2005 (N=1104), this study explored sexual identity variance among women in the reported use of six club drugs: methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, GHB, and LSD. Significant differences were found in that younger women were more likely to be active club drug users. Lesbian and bisexual women reported significantly higher lifetime rates of ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, and LSD use compared to heterosexual women. These data suggest a need to better understand the influence of sexual orientation and sexual culture in relation to club drug use and to tailor health promotion efforts to meet the needs of various groups of club drug using women.     

Sexual orientation and substance use among college students

This study examined the relationship between sexual orientation and substance use among a nationally representative sample of U.S. college and university students. Data from the 1999 College Alcohol Survey were analyzed to compare marijuana and other illicit drug use among heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual students. Findings indicate no significant differences in either marijuana or other illicit drug use for homosexual students. However, bisexuals, especially females, were more likely to have used both marijuana and other illicit drugs. These findings underscore the importance of examining bisexuals as a separate group rather than combining them together with homosexuals. The findings also indicate the presence of unique risk and protective factors based on sexual orientation.     

Romantic attraction and adolescent smoking trajectories

Research on sexual orientation and substance use has established that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are more likely to smoke than heterosexuals. This analysis furthers the examination of smoking behaviors across sexual orientation groups by describing how same- and opposite-sex romantic attraction, and changes in romantic attraction, are associated with distinct six-year developmental trajectories of smoking. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health dataset is used to test our hypotheses. Multinomial logistic regressions predicting smoking trajectory membership as a function of romantic attraction were separately estimated for men and women. Romantic attraction effects were found only for women. The change from self-reported heterosexual attraction to lesbian or bisexual attraction was more predictive of higher smoking trajectories than was a consistent lesbian or bisexual attraction, with potentially important differences between the smoking patterns of these two groups.     

Association of Alcohol Misuse With Sexual Identity and Sexual Behavior in Women Veterans

Background: Sexual minority women report greater alcohol misuse than heterosexual women in the general population, with more pronounced differences found among younger age groups. It is unknown whether these differences exist among women veterans. Objective: We evaluated differences in alcohol misuse across two dimensions of sexual orientation (identity and behavior) among women veterans, and examined whether these differences were modified by age. Methods: Women veterans were recruited via the internet to participate in an online survey. Participants provided information on their self-reported sexual identity and behavior and responded to the validated 3-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption questionnaire (AUDIT-C). Regression models were used to compare the prevalence of alcohol misuse (AUDIT-C ≥ 3) and severity (AUDIT-C scores) across sexual identity and behavior and to test effect modification by age. Results: Among the 702 participants (36% lesbian/bisexual), prevalence and severity of alcohol misuse varied by both sexual identity and behavior, but there were significant interactions with age. Prevalence and severity of alcohol misuse were higher among relatively younger self-identified lesbians compared to heterosexual women. Similarly, both prevalence and severity of alcohol misuse were generally higher among younger women who had any sex with women compared to those who had sex only with men. Conclusions/Importance: In this online study of women veterans, younger sexual minority women were more likely to screen positive for alcohol misuse, and they had more severe alcohol misuse, than their heterosexual counterparts. Prevention and treatment efforts focused specifically on sexual minority women veterans may be needed.     

Alcohol and drug use and related consequences among gay,lesbian and bisexual college students: Role of experiencing violence,feeling safe on campus,and perceived stress

Objective

To examine differences between gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) and non-GLB university students in alcohol and other drug use (AOD) and related consequences as well as the relevance of violence, perceived safety, and stress to any such differences in AOD use and related concerns.

Methods

A random representative sample of university students (n = 988) were recruited via email for an online survey. Linear regression models assessed associations between identifying as GLB and AOD use and related consequences.

Results

Regression models (adjusted for gender) indicated that, in comparison to heterosexual students, GLB students were more likely to report recent illicit drug use (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9), more frequent negative AOD consequences (β = 5.5, SE = 1.4, p < 0.0001), and having seriously thought about/attempted suicide due to AOD use in the past year (AOR = 6.6; 95% CI: 3.0–14.3). Study findings also suggested that violence, safety, and stress variables partially contribute to AOD use and related concerns among GLB students.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the need for future efforts to investigate and address mechanisms, including aspects of campus life, which contribute to AOD related risks among GLB students.     

Sexual identity and substance use among undergraduate students

This study examined the association between sexual identity and use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) among college undergraduate students. A survey regarding AOD use was administered to a random sample of 3607 undergraduate students. The sample included 65 self‐identified lesbian or bisexual (LB) women and 54 self‐identified gay or bisexual (GB) men. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that while alcohol use did not differ for LB and heterosexual women, LB women were significantly more likely to experience certain AOD‐related consequences, smoke cigarettes, and use marijuana, ecstasy, and other drugs. GB men were significantly less likely than heterosexual men to drink heavily but were more likely to use some drugs. These findings provide evidence that sexual identity is an important predictor of AOD use among undergraduate students. These findings support the need for continued research and intervention efforts that target LGB collegians.     

Sexual Identity and Substance Use Among Undergraduate Students

This study examined the association between sexual identity and use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) among college undergraduate students. A survey regarding AOD use was administered to a random sample of 3607 undergraduate students. The sample included 65 self-identified lesbian or bisexual (LB) women and 54 self-identified gay or bisexual (GB) men. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that while alcohol use did not differ for LB and heterosexual women, LB women were significantly more likely to experience certain AOD-related consequences, smoke cigarettes, and use marijuana, ecstasy, and other drugs. GB men were significantly less likely than heterosexual men to drink heavily but were more likely to use some drugs. These findings provide evidence that sexual identity is an important predictor of AOD use among undergraduate students. These findings support the need for continued research and intervention efforts that target LGB collegians.