Prevalence and Correlates to Lifetime Illicit Substance Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Transgender Individuals

Abstract

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States. A growing body of literature suggests Hispanic individuals are at increased risk for substance use disorders. While much of the literature has focused on Hispanic heterosexual individuals, a paucity of literature has focused on Hispanic transgender individuals. More research is warranted on the prevalence and correlates to substance use among Hispanic sexual minorities, in particular Hispanic transgender individuals. The present study sought to examine correlates to lifetime illicit substance use among a national sample of transgender individuals. A secondary analysis of the 2015 Transgender Survey was conducted among 1,473 Hispanic transgender individuals. Weighted analyses reveal that 29% of Hispanic transgender individuals reported lifetime illicit substance use. Significant predictors included age and prior lifetime substance use. Recommendations for health professionals and policy analysts are included.

The health and wellbeing of transgender and gender non‐conforming people of colour in the United States: A systematic literature search and review

“…Substance use was also a commonly assessed (e.g., Molina & Ramirez‐Valles, 2013; Wilson et al, 2015; Yockey et al, 2020), where incarceration was associated with greater use (Anderson‐Carpenter et al, 2017; Reisner et al, 2014). A sense of belonging in school mediated the pathway between peer victimisation and substance use among transgender youth of colour (Hatchel & Marx, 2018).…”