Associations of sexual identity change and identity–attraction discordance with symptomatic alcohol and other drug use.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Associations of sexual identity change and identity–attraction discordance with symptomatic alcohol and other drug use.
Authors: Evans-Polce, Rebecca J. (AUTHOR), Kcomt, Luisa (AUTHOR), Veliz, Philip (AUTHOR), Boyd, Carol J. (AUTHOR), McCabe, Sean Esteban (AUTHOR)
Source: Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology. Aug2024, Vol. 59 Issue 8, p1389-1399. 11p.
Subjects: Sexual orientation, Substance abuse, Drug utilization, Health equity, Feminine identity, Sexual attraction
Abstract: Purpose: National studies examining alcohol and other drug use by sexual orientation have been primarily cross-sectional. Understanding changes in sexual orientation over time may further elucidate the mechanisms behind sexual orientation differences in alcohol and other drug use. This national longitudinal study examines changes in sexual orientation across four waves (2013–2019), and the associations with symptomatic alcohol and other drug use. Methods: Data from Waves 1 through 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study were used to examine associations of sexual identity change/stability and sexual identity–attraction discordance/concordance from baseline to follow-up with symptomatic substance use at follow-up. We examined four outcomes: any symptomatic substance use, symptomatic alcohol use, symptomatic other drug use, and symptomatic alcohol + other drug use. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used and all analyses were weighted and stratified by sex. Results: In models adjusting for potential confounders, greater likelihood of symptomatic alcohol and other drug use outcomes was found among males and females experiencing a change from a heterosexual to sexual minority identity and among females with new or consistent sexual identity–attraction discordance. Conclusion: These findings highlight important sex differences and suggest that the period of transitioning to a sexual minority identity is a particularly vulnerable period for symptomatic alcohol and other drug use. For females, incongruent sexual identity and attraction is also a risk factor. Interventions that assist individuals during this transitional period and during a time when identity and attraction are incongruent, may reduce symptomatic substance use during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:Purpose: National studies examining alcohol and other drug use by sexual orientation have been primarily cross-sectional. Understanding changes in sexual orientation over time may further elucidate the mechanisms behind sexual orientation differences in alcohol and other drug use. This national longitudinal study examines changes in sexual orientation across four waves (2013–2019), and the associations with symptomatic alcohol and other drug use. Methods: Data from Waves 1 through 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study were used to examine associations of sexual identity change/stability and sexual identity–attraction discordance/concordance from baseline to follow-up with symptomatic substance use at follow-up. We examined four outcomes: any symptomatic substance use, symptomatic alcohol use, symptomatic other drug use, and symptomatic alcohol + other drug use. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used and all analyses were weighted and stratified by sex. Results: In models adjusting for potential confounders, greater likelihood of symptomatic alcohol and other drug use outcomes was found among males and females experiencing a change from a heterosexual to sexual minority identity and among females with new or consistent sexual identity–attraction discordance. Conclusion: These findings highlight important sex differences and suggest that the period of transitioning to a sexual minority identity is a particularly vulnerable period for symptomatic alcohol and other drug use. For females, incongruent sexual identity and attraction is also a risk factor. Interventions that assist individuals during this transitional period and during a time when identity and attraction are incongruent, may reduce symptomatic substance use during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09337954
DOI:10.1007/s00127-023-02600-2