Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems: Do They Hold for Lesbians and Gay Men?

Amadio, Dean M.; Adam, Timothy; Buletza, Kristin

doi:10.1080/10538720802310717

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…These gender differences appear to be much less dramatic in LGB populations, with some studies showing equivalent rates of alcohol use between lesbian/bisexual women and gay/bisexual men (e.g., Gillespie & Blackwell, 2009). Although there do seem to be gender differences in rates of substance use in LGB populations, the magnitude of these differences is much smaller than between heterosexual men and women (Amadio, Adam, & Buletza, 2008; Amadio & Chung, 2004; McKirnan & Peterson, 1989; Parsons, Halkitis, & Bimbi, 2006; Skinner & Otis, 1996). This may be due to differences in gender roles, such that LGB individuals are more likely to be gender nonconforming than heterosexual individuals, which may afford them greater freedom from behaving in accordance with stereotypically gendered behaviors (e.g., heavy drinking in college men).…”

Section: Impact Of Sociocultural Factors On Lgb Substance Usementioning

confidence: 98%

Substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: An update on empirical research and implications for treatment.

Green

Feinstein

2012

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

334

269

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Historically, substance use problems were thought to be more prevalent in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations, and correcting skewed perceptions about substance abuse among LGB individuals is critically important. This review provides an update on empirical evidence on LGB substance use patterns and treatment outcome, with specific focus on clinical implications of findings. Compared to earlier studies, the recent research included in this review has used more sophisticated methodologies, more representative samples, and also has investigated multiple dimensions of sexual orientation in relation to substance use patterns. Findings from recent research suggest that lesbians and bisexual women are at greater risk for alcohol and drug use disorders and related problems, and that gay and bisexual men are at greater risk for illicit drug use and related problems. Several sociocultural factors have emerged as correlates of substance use patterns in LGB populations (e.g., affiliation with gay culture, HIV-status), and several demographic characteristics (e.g., female, older age) do not appear to be as robust of protective factors against substance abuse for LGB individuals compared to heterosexual populations. Bisexual identity and/or behavior in particular seem to be related to increased risk for substance abuse. In terms of treatment outcome, limitations of extant research prevent conclusions about the relative impact of LGB-specific interventions, and further research that includes women and uses more equivalent comparison interventions is needed. Clinical implications of research findings are discussed for case identification, selection of treatment goals (e.g., moderation versus abstinence), targets for intervention, and specific treatment modalities.

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Section: Impact Of Sociocultural Factors On Lgb Substance Usementioning

confidence: 98%

Substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: An update on empirical research and implications for treatment.

Green

Feinstein

2012

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

334

269

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, in large US population-based studies such as the National Alcohol Survey (NAS) and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) researchers [14,21] found three to seven times higher odds of past-year alcohol dependence among lesbian and bisexual women than among heterosexual women, controlling for age and other relevant demographic variables. Interestingly, sexual-orientation-related differences tend to be more pronounced and consistent among women than men [5,21,[42][43][44]. Sexual minority women are less likely than exclusively heterosexual women (women who identify as heterosexual and who have only had sexual relationships with men) to abstain from alcohol use and more likely to report indicators of hazardous drinking including heavy episodic drinking, drinking to intoxication, and drinking-related problems [14,45].…”

Section: Prevalence Of Aod Use and Related Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review

et al. 2020

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Until the 1980s, the limited research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women (SMW) focused on alcohol and used samples recruited from gay bars, resulting in inflated estimates of hazardous drinking. Over the past several decades the number of AOD studies with SMW has increased dramatically. To characterize this literature, we conducted a scoping review to answer the following questions: What do we know, and what are the gaps in research about AOD use among SMW? We searched multiple electronic databases (Medline [PubMed], CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) for peerreviewed research articles about AOD use among adult SMW published between January 1, 2000 and May 31, 2017. After duplicates were removed the search identified 4,204 articles. We reviewed the titles and abstracts and removed articles that did not meet inclusion criteria. We used full-text review of the remaining 229 articles to make a final determination regarding inclusion and we retained 181 articles for review. Although the quantity of AOD research with SMW has grown substantially, the great majority of studies have been conducted in the United States (US) and most focus on hazardous drinking; relatively little research has focused on other drugs. In addition, although there has been marked improvement in theories and methods used in this research, many gaps and limitations remain. Examples are the lack of longitudinal research; reliance on samples that tend to over-represent white, well-educated, and relatively young women; sparse attention to mechanisms underlying the disproportionately high rates of AOD use among SMW; and the absence of intervention research. In general, more high-quality research on SMW's use of AODs is needed, but gaps and limitations are particularly large in non-western countries. Addressing these research gaps and limitations is essential for providing information that can be used to develop more effective prevention and early intervention strategies, as well as for informing policies that can help to reduce risky drinking and drug misuse among SMW.

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“…2005; Parks 1999; Parks and Hughes 2005; Staddon 2005; Stall et al. 2001), and increased sexual victimization (Amadio et al. 2008; Conron et al.…”

Section: Alcohol Gender and Sexualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2000; Drabble and Trocki 2005; Jaffe and Clance 2000). Not only do lesbians appear to drink more often compared to heterosexual women, but also appear to start drinking earlier in adolescence (Amadio et al. 2008).…”

Section: Alcohol Gender and Sexualitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Brief Feminist Review and Critique of the Sociology of Alcohol‐Use and Substance‐Abuse Treatment Approaches

Peralta¹,

Jauk²

2011

Sociology Compass

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Guided by a sociology-of-gender framework, we provide an overview and critique of recent academic debates on substance-use, particularly alcohol-use. We note that substance use research has been useful for illuminating areas central to sociological inquiry. In limited scope, we focus on the relationships between alcohol-use, gender, marginalization, violence, and sexualities. Alcohol-use, we argue, is highly meaningful yet a paradox in that alcohol-use both upholds and violates gender and sexuality norms. The active construction of gender is particularly visible when focusing on alcohol, gender and violence. We also claim that alcohol plays a role in the maintenance of a gendered society. We conclude by offering suggestions for future sociologically informed research and treatment approaches.

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Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems: Do They Hold for Lesbians and Gay Men?

Cited by 10 publications

References 38 publications

Substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: An update on empirical research and implications for treatment.

Substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: An update on empirical research and implications for treatment.

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review

A Brief Feminist Review and Critique of the Sociology of Alcohol‐Use and Substance‐Abuse Treatment Approaches

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