scholarly journals Investigating Differential Protective Effects of Marriage on Substance Use by Sexual Identity Status

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-80
Author(s):  
Karen Trocki ◽  
Amy Mericle ◽  
Laurie A. Drabble ◽  
Jamie L. Klinger ◽  
Cindy B. Veldhuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Identity Status ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Research suggests that marriage is protective against substance use. However, few studies have examined whether this protective effect differs for sexual minorities, a population at increased risk for substance use. Using data from four waves of the cross-sectional U.S. National Alcohol Survey (NAS; 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015), we investigated whether the protective effects of marriage varied by sexual identity. Methods: Sex-stratified logistic regression models were used to examine independent and interactive effects of current marital status (being married vs. not) and sexual minority status (lesbian/gay/bisexual vs. heterosexual) on high-intensity drinking, alcohol use disorder, and marijuana use in the past year. Results: Among both women and men, sexual minority status was generally associated with higher odds of these outcomes and marriage was consistently associated with lower odds. Differential effects of marriage by sexual identity with respect to marijuana use were found only among men; marriage was significantly associated with decreased odds of marijuana use among heterosexual men but increased odds among sexual minority men. Conclusions: Marriage may be less consistently protective against hazardous drinking and marijuana use among sexual minorities than heterosexuals. Findings underscore the importance of both quantitative and qualitative studies designed to better understand disparities in substance use across both sexual identity and relationship statuses.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of State Policy Environments on Substance Use by Sexual Identity: Findings From the 2000–2015 National Alcohol Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-71
Author(s):  
Laurie A. Drabble ◽  
Amy A. Mericle ◽  
Walter Gómez ◽  
Jamie L. Klinger ◽  
Karen F. Trocki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
State Policy ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men

Introduction: This study explored whether structural stigma, defined by U.S. state policies related to sexual minority rights, moderated the relationship between sexual identity identity and heavy drinking, alcohol problems, and marijuana use among men and women. Methods: Using combined data from the National Alcohol Survey (NAS) series (2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015), the sample included 11,115 men (421 sexual minority and 10,694 heterosexual) and 14,395 women (413 sexual minority and 13,982 heterosexual). State policy environment was assessed using a time-varying dichotomous indicator of comprehensive protections for sexual minorities (4–6 protections vs. limited or no protections). Gender-stratified logistic regression analyses examined the differential effect of the policy environment by sexual identity on three past-year substance use outcomes: high-intensity drinking (8+ drinks/day), any DSM-5 alcohol use disorder, and marijuana use. Results: Among women, sexual minority status was associated with increased odds of all alcohol and marijuana use outcomes. Among men, sexual minority status was associated with decreased odds of high-intensity drinking but increased use of marijuana. Comprehensive policy protections were associated significantly decreased odds of high-intensity drinking among sexual minority men and marginally significant decreases among women. Conclusions: Comprehensive policy protections appear to be protective for high-intensity drinking among sexual minority men and women. Findings underscore the importance of supportive policies in reducing risk of alcohol-related problems among sexual minorities.

scholarly journals Interactive effects of PTSD and substance use on suicidal ideation and behavior in military personnel: Increased risk from marijuana use

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1072-1079
Author(s):  
Nicholas P. Allan ◽  
Lisham Ashrafioun ◽  
Kateryna Kolnogorova ◽  
Amanda M. Raines ◽  
Charles W. Hoge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Behavior

scholarly journals Sexual minority status, social adversity and risk for psychotic disorders-results from the GROUP study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Post ◽  
W. Veling ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Lesbian, bisexual, or gay individuals (LBGs) have an increased risk for mental health problems compared to heterosexuals, but this association has sparsely been investigated for psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was: (1) to examine whether LBG sexual orientation is more prevalent in individuals with a non-affective psychotic disorder (NAPD) than in people without a psychotic disorder; and if so, (2) to explore possible mediating pathways. Methods Sexual orientation was assessed in the 6-year follow-up assessment of the Dutch Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis study (GROUP), a case–control study with 1547 participants (582 patients with psychotic disorder, 604 siblings, and 361 controls). Binary logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the risk of patients with a psychotic disorder being LBG, compared to siblings and controls. Perceived discrimination, history of bullying, childhood trauma (CT), and sexual identity disclosure were investigated as potential mediating variables. Results The proportion of individuals with LBG orientation was 6.8% in patients (n = 40), 4.3% in siblings (n = 26), and 2.5% in controls (n = 10). The age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio of LBG for patients was 1.57 (95% CI 1.08–2.27; p = 0.019), compared to siblings and controls. Discrimination, bullying, and CT all partially mediated this association. Conclusions Adverse social experiences related to sexual minority status may increase the risk for NAPD. Sexual identity, behavior, and difficulties need more attention in everyday clinical practice.

scholarly journals Substance use and sexual minority status: examining the mediating roles of stress and emotion dysregulation in young adult women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor McCabe ◽  
Alison Hipwell ◽  
Kate Keenan ◽  
Stephanie Stepp ◽  
Tammy Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Sexual minority women (SMW) report higher rates of substance use and disorder across the lifespan, and greater levels of minority stress in adolescence and young adulthood. Minority stress mediation models propose that higher levels of social stressors may increase emotion dysregulation, which in turn increases the propensity toward substance misuse. Few studies, however, have prospectively examined the impact of stressors and emotion dysregulation among SMW on early and escalating substance use. This longitudinal study examined whether emotion dysregulation and social stress mediated the association between sexual minority status and developing substance use (ages 17 through 22 years) in a sample of 2,201 heterosexual and 246 SMW participants in the Pittsburgh Girls Study. Results supported serial mediation processes of marijuana use risk: SMW reported higher levels of social stress in late adolescence, which in turn predicted greater emotion dysregulation that was associated with greater marijuana use by young adulthood.

scholarly journals Substance Use and Sexual-Minority Status: Examining the Mediating Roles of Stress and Emotion Dysregulation in Young Adult Women

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262199935
Author(s):  
Connor J. McCabe ◽  
Alison E. Hipwell ◽  
Kate Keenan ◽  
Stephanie D. Stepp ◽  
Tammy Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Social Stress ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Sexual-minority women (SMW) report higher rates of substance use and disorder across the life span and greater levels of minority stress in adolescence and young adulthood. Minority stress mediation models propose that higher levels of social stressors may increase emotion dysregulation, which in turn increases the propensity toward substance misuse. Few studies, however, have prospectively examined the impact of stressors and emotion dysregulation among SMW on early and escalating substance use. In this longitudinal study, we examined whether emotion dysregulation and social stress mediated the association between sexual-minority status and developing substance use (ages 17–22) in a sample of 2,201 heterosexual and 246 SMW participants in the Pittsburgh Girls Study. Results supported serial mediation processes of marijuana-use risk: SMW reported higher levels of social stress in late adolescence, which in turn predicted greater emotion dysregulation that was associated with greater marijuana use by young adulthood.

Sexual minority status and psychotic symptoms: findings from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Studies (NEMESIS)

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Gevonden ◽  
J. P. Selten ◽  
I. Myin-Germeys ◽  
R. de Graaf ◽  
M. ten Have ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychotic Symptom ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Incidence Studies

BackgroundEthnic minority position is associated with increased risk for psychotic outcomes, which may be mediated by experiences of social exclusion, defeat and discrimination. Sexual minorities are subject to similar stressors. The aim of this study is to examine whether sexual minorities are at increased risk for psychotic symptoms and to explore mediating pathways.MethodA cross-sectional survey was performed assessing cumulative incidence of psychotic symptoms with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in two separate random general population samples (NEMESIS-1 and NEMESIS-2). Participants were sexually active and aged 18–64 years (n = 5927, n = 5308). Being lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) was defined as having sexual relations with at least one same-sex partner during the past year. Lifetime experience of any psychotic symptom was analysed using logistic regression, adjusted for gender, educational level, urbanicity, foreign-born parents, living without a partner, cannabis use and other drug use.ResultsThe rate of any psychotic symptom was elevated in the LGB population as compared with the heterosexual population both in NEMESIS-1 [odds ratio (OR) 2.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71–3.84] and NEMESIS-2 (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.42–3.71). Childhood trauma, bullying and experience of discrimination partly mediated the association.ConclusionsThe finding that LGB orientation is associated with psychotic symptoms adds to the growing body of literature linking minority status with psychosis and other mental health problems, and suggests that exposure to minority stress represents an important mechanism.

scholarly journals Chinese Sexual Minority Male Adolescents’ Suicidality and Body Mass Index

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeen Huang ◽  
Pengsheng Li ◽  
Zhisheng Lai ◽  
Xiaofei Jia ◽  
Di Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Minority Males ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Increased Risk

Excess weight status may increase the risk of suicidality among sexual minority females, but few studies have examined this suicidality disparity in sexual minority males. This study examined the association between sexual minority status and suicide attempts in Chinese male adolescents and tested whether body mass index (BMI) had a moderating effect on that association. Data were collected from 7th to 12th graders from seven randomly selected provinces of China in the 2015 School-Based Chinese Adolescents Health Survey. In total, 72,409 male students completed the questionnaires regarding sexual attraction, self-reported weight and height, and suicide attempts. After adjustment for covariates, sexual minority status was associated with suicide attempts among male students (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.57–1.93). Stratification analyses showed that BMI category moderated this association; compared with the results before stratification analyses, sexual minority males who were obese had increased risk of suicide attempts (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.09–4.24), sexual minority males who were overweight had reduced odds of suicide attempts (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92), and no significant association change was found in sexual minority males who were underweight (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.43–2.33). Our study indicated that BMI moderated the risk of suicide attempts in sexual minority males. Suicide prevention targeting sexual minority males should be focused on weight status disparity and the creation of a positive climate to reduce minority stressors due to body image.

scholarly journals Do Sexual Minorities Face Greater Risk for Sexual Harassment, Ever and at School, in Adolescence?

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052092631
Author(s):  
Davey M. Smith ◽  
Nicole E. Johns ◽  
Anita Raj
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Cyber Harassment ◽  
Increased Risk

Bullying of sexual minorities in the United States is common and often begins in middle and high school, yet research that examines sexual harassment of sexual minorities is limited. This study examines whether sexual minorities are more likely than straight people to (a) report sexual harassment and (b) report sexual harassment as adolescents at middle or high school. We analyzed survey data from a cross-sectional study of sexual harassment and assault, conducted with nationally representative samples of adults in 2019 ( N = 2,205). Sexual harassment was categorized as non-physically aggressive sexual harassment only (NPSH; e.g., verbal or cyber harassment), physically aggressive sexual harassment (PSH; e.g., stalking, rubbing up against you; with or without NPSH), sexual assault (SA; i.e., forced sex; with or without NPSH or PSH), or no sexual harassment (none). In total, 6% of female and male respondents identified as a sexual minority. A history of sexual harassment or assault was reported by 95.0% of sexual minority women and 80.3% of straight women ( p = .001), and by 77.3% of sexual minority men and 41.3% of straight men ( p = .001). Multivariable multinomial models demonstrate that sexual minorities were more likely than straight individuals to report NPSH (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.88, 95% [Confidence Interval] CI = [1.33, 6.20]), PSH (AOR = 4.15, 95% CI: [1.77, 9.77]), and SA (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI = [2.56, 11.73]; reference group: no harassment), as well as to report PSH (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI = [1.30, 5.47]) at school in middle or high school. These abuses demonstrate increased risk for sexual harassment among sexual minorities, including increased risk for physically aggressive sexual harassment when in middle and high school.

scholarly journals Preteen Behaviors and Sexual Orientation of High School Students Who Report Depressive Symptoms, United States, 2015-2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-135
Author(s):  
Douglas D’Agati ◽  
Geoffrey D. Kahn ◽  
Karen L. Swartz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Students ◽  
Increased Risk

Unhealthy preteen behaviors are associated with adolescent depression. However, little is known about preteen factors among sexual minority young people, a group at increased risk for teen depression and suicide. We completed weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses on data from the national 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of 30 389 high school students in the United States. Preteen sex, cigarette smoking, and alcohol and marijuana use were significantly more prevalent among lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) and questioning students who reported depressive symptoms than among their heterosexual peers (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] range, 1.33-2.34; all significant at P < .05). The only exception was that marijuana use among questioning students was not significantly different from use among heterosexual peers (APR = 1.34; P = .11). Assessment of preteen sex and substance use—especially among LGB and questioning young people, who are more prone to depressive symptoms and more likely to initiate risky preteen behaviors than their heterosexual counterparts—will facilitate a life course approach to sexual minority mental health that should begin by early adolescence.

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