Examining COVID-19 pandemic-related economic and household stress and its association with mental health, alcohol, and substance use in a national sample of Latinx sexual minority and heterosexual adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority adults of Latinx descent faced compounded intersectional stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic across socioeconomic and health domains. Latinx people have experienced some of the highest COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates in the United States in addition to significant economic challenges. Yet, current data have not observed the unique pandemic-related experiences of sexual minority Latinx (SML) adults. We examined sexual identity differences in economic and household stress, social support, mental health symptomatology (depression, anxiety), alcohol, and substance use among sexual minority and nonsexual minority Latinx adults in the United States. METHOD: Primary data were collected via the AmeriSpeak panel, a national probability sample of U.S.-based 2,286 Latinx adults [sexual minority = .34% (n = 465)]. Data were collected from November 2020 to January 2021, during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: SML adults endorsed higher levels of economic and household stress, mental health symptomatology, and alcohol and substance use than nonsexual minority Latinx adults. Economic stress was associated with increased mental health symptomatology, alcohol, and substance use among SML adults. Social support moderated the association between economic stress and mental health symptomatology and substance use, but not alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Findings highlighted unique intersectional considerations among SML adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of social support and the negative toll of economic stress on mental health and substance use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Health disparities in one of the world's most progressive countries: a scoping review of mental health and substance use among sexual and gender minority people in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from many parts of the world shows that sexual and gender minority (SGM) people have poorer health than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Minority stressors, particularly stigma and discrimination, have been identified as major contributors to sexual orientation- and gender identity-related health disparities, particularly negative mental health and behavioral health outcomes. To better understand factors that contribute to these disparities, we conducted a scoping review of SGM mental health and substance use research in the Netherlands-a country with a long-standing reputation as a pioneer in SGM equality. METHODS: Using Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR protocol, we searched seven databases to identify studies published between 2010 and 2022 that focused on substance use and/or mental health of SGM youth and adults in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Although there was some evidence that SGM people in the Netherlands report fewer substance use and mental health concerns than those in less progressive countries, with very few exceptions studies found poorer outcomes among SGM participants than cisgender, heterosexual participants. However, this observation must be considered cautiously given major gaps in the literature. For example, only one study focused exclusively on adult sexual minority women, two focused on older SGM adults, and very little attention was given to nonbinary individuals. Most studies used non-probability samples that were quite homogenous. Many studies, especially those with youth, assessed sexual orientation based on sexual attraction; some studies of adults operationalized SGM status as having a same-sex partner. Importantly, we found no studies that directly assessed associations between structural-level stigma and health outcomes. Studies were mostly focused at the individual level and on health problems; very little attention was given to strengths or resilience. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of persistent health disparities-despite the relatively long history of SGM supportive policies in the Netherlands-highlight the need for more research and greater attention to population groups that have been underrepresented. Such research would not only provide guidance on strategies to improve the health of SGM people in the Netherlands, but also in other countries that are seeking to reduce health inequities. Addressing SGM health disparities in the Netherlands and elsewhere is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that addresses individual, interpersonal and structural factors.

Harmful drinking, tobacco, and marijuana use in the 2000-2015 National Alcohol Surveys: Examining differential trends by sexual identity.

BACKGROUND: Population-based surveys document disparities in substance use among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals, but few studies examine changes over time. This study compared changes in harmful drinking (including alcohol use disorders and high-intensity drinking), tobacco use, marijuana use, and simultaneous marijuana and alcohol co-use between heterosexual and sexual minority adults over a 15-year period. Methods: Gender-stratified logistic regression analyses using 4 waves of cross-sectional data from the National Alcohol Survey (2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015) were conducted to test overall trends over time and differences by sexual identity, as well as the interaction between survey year and sexual identity. Results: Among women, significant effects for sexual identity were present in all models, reflecting greater odds of use among sexual minorities across waves. Among men, significant effects for sexual identity were found for high-intensity drinking (reflecting less use among sexual minorities) as well as marijuana use and marijuana and alcohol co-use (reflecting more use among sexual minorities). For women and men, tobacco use generally decreased and both marijuana use and simultaneous marijuana and alcohol co-use increased during the study period. Although trends were largely driven by heterosexual respondents, only one instance of an interactive effect was found; reports of harmful drinking were generally stable over time among heterosexual women, but higher and more variable over time among sexual minority women. Conclusions: Findings highlight that differences in patterns of substance use by sexual identity persist and underscore the need for screening, prevention, and intervention, particularly for sexual minority women.

Relationship Status and Drinking-Related Outcomes in a Community Sample of Lesbian and Bisexual Women.

Although marriage tends to be protective against hazardous drinking among women in the general population, few studies have compared drinking rates, levels, or problems based on relationship status among sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual). We examined associations between relationship status (committed relationship/cohabiting; committed/not cohabiting; single) and past-year drinking outcomes using data from a diverse sample of 696 SMW interviewed in wave 3 of the 17-year longitudinal Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study. The mean age of SMW in the sample was 40.01 (SD = 14.15; range 18-82). A little more than one-third (37%) of the sample was white, 36% was African American, and 23% Latina; 4% reported another or multi- race/ethnicity. Compared to SMW in committed cohabiting relationships, single SMW were significantly more likely to be heavy drinkers. SMW in committed non-cohabiting relationships were more likely to report alcohol-related problem consequences, and both single SMW and those in committed non-cohabiting relationships were more likely to report one or more symptoms of potential alcohol dependence. Findings underscore the importance of exploring relationship factors that may influence drinking and drinking-related problems among SMW.

Forty Years of State Alcohol and Pregnancy Policies in the USA: Best Practices for Public Health or Efforts to Restrict Women's Reproductive Rights?

AIMS: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a public health problem despite >40 years of attention. Little is known about how state policies have evolved and whether policies represent public health goals or efforts to restrict women's reproductive rights. METHODS: Our data set includes US state policies from 1970 through 2013 obtained through original legal research and from the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's (NIAAA)'s Alcohol Policy Information System. Policies were classified as punitive to women or supportive of them. The association between numbers of punitive policies and supportive policies in 2013 with a measure of state restrictions on reproductive rights and Alcohol Policy Effectiveness Scores (APS) was estimated using a Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: The number of states with alcohol and pregnancy policies has increased from 1 in 1974 to 43 in 2013. Through the 1980s, state policy environments were either punitive or supportive. In the 1990s, mixed punitive and supportive policy environments began to be the norm, with punitive policies added to supportive ones. No association was found between the number of supportive policies in 2013 and a measure of reproductive rights policies or the APS, nor was there an association between the number of punitive policies and the APS. The number of punitive policies was positively associated, however, with restrictions on reproductive rights. CONCLUSION: Punitive alcohol and pregnancy policies are associated with efforts to restrict women's reproductive rights rather than effective efforts to curb public health harms due to alcohol use in the general population. Future research should explore the effects of alcohol and pregnancy policies. SHORT SUMMARY: The number of states with alcohol and pregnancy policies has increased since 1970 (1 in 1974 and 43 in 2013). Alcohol and pregnancy policies are becoming increasingly punitive. These punitive policies are associated with efforts to restrict women's reproductive rights rather than policies that effectively curb alcohol-related public health harms.

Alcohol in the life narratives of women: Commonalities and differences by sexual orientation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore social representations of alcohol use among women, with a focus on possible differences between sexual minority and heterosexual women. METHODS: This qualitative study was part of a larger study examining mediators of heavier drinking among sexual minority women (lesbian identified, bisexual identified, and heterosexual identified with same sex partners) compared to heterosexual women based on the National Alcohol Survey. Qualitative in-depth life history interviews were conducted over the telephone with 48 women who had participated in the 2009-2010 National Alcohol Survey, including respondents representing different sexual orientation groups. Questions explored the lives and experiences of women, and how use of alcohol may connect to those experiences. FINDINGS: Representations about normative and risky use included social use, use in relation to community connection, addictive use and self-medication. Other representations common across groups included articulation of boundaries that were defined by negative exemplars, marked by indicators of loss of control, and maintained through selective engagement of social networks. Although representations across groups were similar, some representations, such as alcohol use in fostering community connection, appeared to be more salient for sexual minority women. The findings of the study underscore the importance of considering both commonalities and potential differences among women by sexual orientation in meanings and perceived risks associated with alcohol use in future research and intervention efforts.

Strategies employed by inner-city activists to reduce alcohol-related problems and advance social justice.

This study explored strategies employed by activists engaged in efforts to change policies and laws related to selling and promoting alcoholic beverages based on in-depth interviews with 184 social activists in seven U.S. major cities. Nine strategies aimed at improving local conditions and influencing policy were described by activists across regional contexts. Grassroots mobilization was central to all other strategies, which included the creation or enforcement of laws, meeting with elected officials, media advocacy, working with police/law enforcement, education and training, direct action, changing community norms, and negotiating with store owners.

State Responses to Alcohol Use and Pregnancy: Findings From the Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS).

This article describes U.S. state policies related to alcohol use during pregnancy, using data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS). Specifically, this study examines trends in policies enacted by states over time and types of policies enacted across states in the U.S., with a focus on whether laws were supportive or punitive toward women. Findings revealed substantial variability in characteristics of policies (19 primarily supportive, 12 primarily punitive, 12 with a mixed approach, and 8 with no policies). Findings underscore the need to examine possible consequences of policies, especially of punitive policies and "mixed" approaches.

Resilience Through Social Support: An Intersectional Analysis of Sexual Minority Women's Social Resources for Wellbeing.

Sexual minority women (SMW) are at higher risk for a range of health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder) than heterosexual women. However, poor health outcomes do not occur for all SMW. Resilience provides a lens for understanding why some SMW maintain good mental and behavioral health despite the presence of multiple risk factors. Few studies have examined the resilience-promoting factor of social support in relation to depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder in SMW. There is a need for further research clarifying sources of social support (e.g. family, significant others, friends, LGBTQ+ community) associated with resilient outcomes for SMW. This study used data from a telephone-based survey of 520 SMW to examine the relationships between resilience and social support. We used multiple regression and tested for interactions with ethnoracial identity and sexual identity. Greater levels of overall social support were associated with greater resilience, as was social support from the LGBTQ+ community in particular. There were few differences in these relationships by ethnoracial identity, sexual identity, or their intersections. Interventions that increase social support across any of four support sources appear to have the potential to increase resilience and decrease mental and behavioral health risks for SMW.

Lines in the sand: Social representations of substance use boundaries in life narratives.

This study identifies social representations in interviews about alcohol and substance use in the discourse of 129 young adults, who were interviewed for 2.5 to 3.5 hours each for their life histories and use or non-use of alcoholic beverages and drugs. Respondents spontaneously delineated their substance use boundaries, creating a continuum of behaviors with boundary points separating acceptable from unacceptable behaviors. They used signaling expressions to indicate go and stop signs and movement along the substance use continuum and reported negotiating substance use boundaries both internally and with peers. A ubiquitous narrative element was the cautionary tale, in which a negative exemplar goes too far with alcohol and/or drugs, providing an example of the possible negative outcomes of transgressing boundaries. In general, the narratives revealed complex relationships to alcohol and other drugs that may be useful in refining messages for more effective communication in prevention and intervention programs.

COVID-19 Concerns, Coping and Perceived Peer Norms: Correlates of Increased Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among Sexual Minority Women.

This study explored the impact of COVID-related concerns and other characteristics on alcohol and marijuana use among sexual minority women (SMW). Survey data from a racially/ethnically diverse sample of 338 SMW participants in the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study were used to examine correlates of three substance use outcomes: frequent intoxication (once a month or more), perceived increase in alcohol use, and perceived increase in marijuana use. Coping motives for alcohol use was positively associated with each of the substance use outcomes. Belief that peers (in terms of age, sexual identity, and gender) used alcohol often to cope was associated with higher odds of frequent intoxication. COVID-19 related financial concerns were positively associated with both frequent intoxication and increased marijuana use. Health and mental health concerns were associated with lower odds of frequent intoxication. Findings underscore the importance of enhancing coping skills, addressing perceived peer coping norms, and providing both economic and social support in intervention efforts.

Structural stigma and alcohol use among sexual and gender minority adults: A systematic review.

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are more likely than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts to report negative alcohol-related outcomes. Although the association between individual- and interpersonal-level minority stressors and negative alcohol-related outcomes among SGM people is well-established, structural-level minority stressors are understudied. This systematic review examined structural-level stigma and alcohol-related outcomes among SGM people to inform future research, interventions, and policy. Methods: We used five electronic databases to search for studies published between January 2010 and May 2022 that examined associations between structural stigma and alcohol use among SGM adults in the United States. Peer-reviewed, quantitative studies available in English were included. We conducted quality appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: The final sample included 11 studies. Overall, there was moderate to strong support for a positive association between structural stigma and negative alcohol-related outcomes among SGM people, with differences by gender, sexual identity, race, and ethnicity. All studies used cross-sectional designs, and nearly half utilized non-probability samples. Transgender and nonbinary people, SGM people of color, and sexual identity subgroups beyond gay, lesbian, and heterosexual were underrepresented. Structural stigma was most commonly measured as a state-level index. Alcohol measures were heterogeneous. Multilevel stigma and resiliency factors were understudied. Conclusions: Addressing structural stigma is critical in reducing negative alcohol-related outcomes and inequities among SGM people. Research is needed that includes probability samples, longitudinal designs, and samples that reflect the diversity of SGM people. Future studies should examine the influence of multilevel stigma and resiliency factors on alcohol-related outcomes.

Alcohol interventions for LGBTQ+ adults: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Gender and sexual minority populations are more likely to drink excessively compared to heterosexual and cisgender people. Existing reviews of alcohol interventions focus on specific subgroups within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, questioning or otherwise gender or sexuality diverse (LGBTQ+) population and neither identify their theoretical basis nor examine how interventions are tailored to meet the needs of specific subgroups. METHODS: This systematic review includes published studies reporting the effectiveness of interventions to reduce alcohol use in LGBTQ+ people. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool. RESULTS: The review includes 25 studies, with the earliest published in 2005. The majority (n = 20) focused on men who have sex with men; only two included sexual minority women and three included trans* people. Most studies were conducted in the USA (n = 21) and used a randomised design (n = 15). Five studies were assessed to be of strong quality, seven moderate and 13 weak. Interventions were mainly delivered face-to-face (n = 21). The most common approaches used to inform interventions were Motivational Interviewing (n = 8) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n = 8). Nineteen studies reported a significant reduction in alcohol consumption. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that for interventions to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in LGBTQ+ people, they need to be informed by theory and adapted for the target population. Alcohol interventions that focus on sexual minority women, trans* people and people with other gender identities are needed. The findings have implications for professionals who need to identify when gender and/or sexuality are peripheral or central to alcohol use.

"Family before Anyone Else": A Qualitative Study on Family, Marginalization, and HIV among Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican Sexual Minority Males.

This study explored the influence family relationships have on HIV-related factors among Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican sexual minority cisgender males in San Antonio, TX, US. A total of 15 young adults (7 people living with HIV; PLWH) ages 21-30 completed a semi-structured interview. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The following themes emerged: (1) family support; (2) mother-son relationships; (3) father-son relationships; (4) sibling support; (5) family marginalization of sexual minorities; and (6) internalized homophobia. People who reported being HIV negative were more likely to have a prominent mother-son relationship, strong sense of family, supportive siblings, and family acceptance as a sexual minority. PLWH were more likely to report a weak sense of family, being raised in a maternal-led household, and less likely to have a relationship with their father and siblings. Marginalization among participants regardless of HIV status included exposure to religious rhetoric stigmatizing sexual minorities and fathers' reinforcing Mexican traditional gender norms. In addition to encountering homophobia, PLWH were further marginalized by family members due to their HIV status. The findings suggest a need for greater attention to examining the impact of familial support of Hispanic or Latino/a/x Mexican sexual minority cisgender males as young adults with or at risk of HIV.

Impact of the policy environment on substance use among sexual minority women.

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) are at greater risk for heavy episodic drinking, frequent marijuana use, and tobacco use than heterosexual women. Because past research has suggested the political and social environment may influence disparities in substance use by sexual orientation, this study examined associations of the U.S. state-level policy environment on substance use by SMW. Methods: A total of 732 SMW participants were recruited from two national online panels: a general population panel (n = 333) and a sexual minority-specific panel (n = 399). Past year substance use was defined by number of days of heavy episodic drinking (HED; 4+ drinks in a day), weekly tobacco use (once a week or more vs. less or none), and weekly marijuana use (once a week or more vs. less or none). Comprehensive state policy protection was defined by enactment of five policies protecting rights of sexual minorities. Regression models compared substance use outcomes for SMW living in states with comprehensive policy protections to SMW living in states with fewer or no protections. Models also assessed the impact of state policies related to alcohol (state monopoly on alcohol wholesale or retail sales), tobacco (state enactment of comprehensive smoke-free workplace laws) and marijuana (legalization of purchase, possession, or consumption of marijuana for recreational use). Results: Comprehensive policy protections were associated with fewer HED days. Recreational marijuana legalization was associated with higher odds of weekly use. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of policy protections for sexual minorities in reducing substance use, particularly HED, among SMW.

A scoping review of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use treatment interventions for sexual and gender minority populations.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use are among the most prevalent and important health disparities affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) populations. Although numerous government agencies and health experts have called for substance use intervention studies to address these disparities, such studies continue to be relatively rare. METHOD: We conducted a scoping review of prevention and drug treatment intervention studies for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use that were conducted with SGM adults. We searched three databases to identify pertinent English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 1985 and 2019. RESULTS: Our search yielded 71 articles. The majority focused on sexual minority men and studied individual or group psychotherapies for alcohol, tobacco, or methamphetamine use. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the need for intervention research focused on sexual minority women and gender minority individuals and on cannabis and opioid use. There is also a need for more research that evaluates dyadic, population-level, and medication interventions.

Comparing substance use outcomes by sexual identity among women: Differences using propensity score methods.

BACKGROUND: Differences in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by sexual identity vary across samples of women recruited using different sampling methods. We used propensity score (PS) weighting methods to address two methodological questions: (1) Do disparities between sexual minority women (SMW) and heterosexual women persist when differences in risk and protective factors are similarly distributed between groups, and (2) Does accounting for SMW-specific resiliency factors impact differences between non-probability samples of SMW? METHODS: Four samples included SMW from a longitudinal study with a nonprobability sample (n = 373), a national general population panel sample (n = 373), and a national LGBTQ-specific panel sample (n = 311), as well as a national probability sample of heterosexual women (n = 446). Between-groups analyses using double-robust PS weighted models estimated differences in ATOD use under hypothetical conditions in which samples have similar risk and protective factors. RESULTS: After PS weighting, imbalance in confounders between SMW and heterosexual samples was substantially reduced, but not eliminated. In double-robust PS weighted models, SMW samples consistently had significantly greater odds of drug use than heterosexuals, with odds from 8.8 to 5.6 times greater for frequent marijuana use and 4.8-3.2 greater for other drug use. Few differences between SMW samples in ATOD outcomes or other variables remained after PS weighting. CONCLUSION: Relative to heterosexual women, disparities in marijuana and other drug use among SMW are evident regardless of sampling strategy. The results provide some reassurance about the validity of large nonprobability samples, which remain an important recruitment strategy in research with SMW.

Examining the differential protective effects of women's spirituality and religiosity on alcohol and marijuana use by sexual identity.

The current study explored how religiosity and spirituality may differentially influence substance use by sexual identity based on a sample of adult sexual minority women (SMW; n = 437 lesbian; n = 323 bisexual) relative to a heterosexual comparison sample (n = 636). We examined three questions: (1) whether spirituality was differentially associated with alcohol and marijuana use by sexual identity; (2) whether religiosity was differentially associated with alcohol and marijuana use by sexual identity; (3) whether observed differences between spirituality or religiosity and substance use by sexual identity persisted after adjusting for religious environment. Measures included spirituality (importance of spirituality), religiosity (importance of religion, attending religious services), and past year substance use (alcohol use disorder [AUD], any marijuana use, and regular marijuana use). Higher levels of spirituality were associated with increased odds of AUD among both lesbian and bisexual respondents relative to heterosexuals. Higher levels of religiosity among lesbian participants were associated with increased odds of AUD relative to heterosexuals with higher levels of religiosity. Consistent with theories of minority stress, findings suggest that spirituality and religiosity are less protective for SMW than heterosexual women and, in some cases, may contribute to greater risk of substance use.

Examining perceived effects of same-sex marriage legalization among sexual minority women: Identifying demographic differences and factors related to alcohol use disorder, depression, and self-perceived health.

Background: Reductions in structural stigma, such as gaining access to legalized same-sex marriage, is associated with positive psychological and physical health outcomes among sexual minorities. However, these positive outcomes may be less robust among sexual minority women (SMW). Methods: This study examined how perceptions of the impact of legalized same-sex marriage among SMW may 1) differ by demographic characteristics and 2) predict alcohol use disorder, depression, and self-perceived health. A diverse sample of SMW (N=446) completed an online survey in 2020 assessing the perceived impact of legalized same-sex marriage across six social-ecological domains: 1) personal impact, 2) stigma-related concerns, 3) couple impact, 4) family support, 5) work/school impact, and 6) local social climate towards LGBTQ people. Results: Perceived impact across multiple domains differed by relationship status and sexual identity (e.g., lesbian compared to bisexual identity); only family support differed by race/ethnicity. Stigma-related concerns (e.g., experiencing or witnessing hostility or discrimination because of sexual identity, despite legalized same-sex marriage) were associated with greater odds of depression and lower odds of reporting excellent, very good, or good health. Odds of depression were lower among participants who reported higher personal impact, a greater number of family members supportive of same-sex marriage, and a more positive local social climate. Family support also predicted self-perceived health. However, participants who perceived increased support in work/school contexts after legalized same-sex marriage had higher odds of alcohol use disorder. Conclusions: Overall, findings underscore the importance of policy in improving health outcomes through reducing stigma-related concerns and improving social acceptance.

Corrigendum to 'Impact of the policy environment on substance use among sexual minority women'.

[This corrects the article PMC9262325.].