Binge drinking and sexual risk behavior among US sexual and gender minority college students

Abstract

Background and Objectives Binge drinking and sexual risk behaviors have historically been associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults; however, few studies have described this association among broader sexual and gender minority (SGM) students, who often identify outside of LGBT (e.g., asexual, queer). This study examined the relationship between binge drinking and sexual risk behaviors among SGM versus non‐SGM college students. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted with cross‐sectional data from the Spring 2017 American College Health Association‐National College Health Assessment (ACHA‐NCHA) survey among US undergraduates (n = 47,821) across 92 institutions. Binge drinking was measured as more than five drinks consumed the last time the student socialized; sexual risk behavior was measured as the number of sexual partners in the past 12 months. Results Numerous undergraduates nationally identify as SGM (19.9%), with bisexual (32.7%), other SGM (26.1%), and asexual (25.4%) students comprising the largest subgroups. Prevalent among both SGM (28.1%) and non‐SGM (29.6%) students, binge drinking had a significant main effect on the number of sexual partners. A significant interaction effect was observed between SGM identity and binge drinking on the number of sexual partners, such that this association was stronger in SGM versus non‐SGM students. This effect remained significant across multiple SGM subgroups. Discussion and Conclusions SGM students are more prevalent and diverse than previously reported. While prevalent overall, binge drinking may be uniquely sexualized among SGM students. Scientific Significance In the first large‐scale study assessing drinking among disaggregated SGM college students, data suggest tailoring alcohol interventions to SGM students, particularly those identifying outside of LGBT.

Examination of the Sexual and Negative Dating Inventory (SANDI) among Sexual and Gender Minorities: An Analysis of Psychometrics and Outcomes

“…Subgroups within SGM populations may be at even greater risk of experiencing sexual violence, with up to 46% of bisexual women having been victims of forced or substance-facilitated rape and 47% of transgender individuals having been sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime (James et al;Walters et al, 2013). SGM college students are disproportionately affected by sexual violence while in college compared to heterosexual and cisgender students (Coulter & Rankin, 2020) and may engage in more frequent sexual risk behaviors (Li et al, 2022). Adverse sexual experiences are associated with increased mental health symptomology, especially PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and these are disproportionately experienced by SGM individuals.…”

ASD and Sexual and Gender Minority Identity in College Students (Original Submission)

“…These stressors, in turn, increase risk for the development of psychiatric conditions (Meyer, 2003;Pachankis et al, 2018;Rosendale et al, 2021). SGM college students are at higher risk for substance abuse as compared to non-SGM individuals (Li et al, 2022;Rice et al, 2019). Similar to ASD, SGM individuals have higher prevalence rates of suicide attempts and deaths by suicide than non-SGM individuals (Hatzenbuehler et al, 2013, Nock et al, 2008, with 11% of individuals sexual minorities (Hottes et al, 2016) and 40% of gender minorities (Marshall et al, 2016) reporting at least one suicide attempt throughout their lifetime, compared to 4% in the general population.…”