Sexual-Minority Women and Alcohol: Intersections Between Drinking, Relational Contexts, Stress, and Coping

Condit, M.; Kitaji, Kai; Drabble, Laurie A.; Trocki, Karen F.

doi:10.1080/10538720.2011.588930

Cited by 54 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Although representations across groups were similar, some representations, such as alcohol use in fostering community connection and mediating stress, appeared to be particularly salient for sexual minority women. These findings are congruent with other qualitative studies of sexual minority women that describe the role of alcohol in managing stress and anxiety and facilitating social interaction (Cogger, Conover, & Israel, 2012; Condit et al, 2011; Reyes, 1998). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…To date, a few qualitative studies have explored the experiences of sexual minorities and how they perceive the role of alcohol in relation to their lives, identities, and social contexts and are helpful in understanding both normative use of alcohol and disparities in risk for alcohol problems among sexual minority women. These studies point to the importance of social drinking contexts in providing safety and community support (Condit, Kitaji, Drabble, & Trocki, 2011; Gruskin et al, 2006; Reyes, 1998) and self-acceptance (Parks, 1999). Parks (1996) found that lesbian women were most likely to describe heavier use of alcohol or drugs in two time periods: when they were becoming aware of their attraction to women, but had not yet become involved in the lesbian community and when they began to immerse themselves in the lesbian community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Drabble

Trocki

2013

Addiction Research & Theory

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Drabble

Trocki

2013

Addiction Research & Theory

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“…Research to date on alcohol-related problems among sexual minorities has focused disproportionately on risk factors, neglecting exploration of possible factors that may be protective against substance use (Balsam, 2003; Condit et al, 2011; Hughes et al, 2003; Kwon, 2013). Religion is generally recognized as a protective factor against hazardous drinking and the development of alcohol use disorders among both adults and adolescents (Allen and Lo, 2010; Borders et al, 2010; Edlund et al, 2010; Haber et al, 2012; Michalak et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Religiosity as a protective factor for hazardous drinking and drug use among sexual minority and heterosexual women: Findings from the National Alcohol Survey

Drabble

Trocki

Klinger

2016

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Objective Despite research documenting disparities in risk for alcohol-related problems among sexual minority women, few studies explore potential protective factors within this population. This study examines how religiosity may function as a protective or risk factor for alcohol-problems or other substance use among sexual minorities compared to heterosexuals. Method Data from 11,169 women who responded to sexual identity and sexual behavior questions from three population-based National Alcohol Survey waves (2000, 2005, 2010) were utilized for analyses of religiosity in relation to lifetime drinking, past year hazardous drinking, and past year drug use. Results Religiosity was significantly greater among exclusively heterosexual women compared to all sexual minority groups (lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual women who report same sex partners). Lesbians reported the lowest rates of affiliation with religions/denominations discouraging alcohol use. Past year hazardous drinking and use of any illicit drugs were significantly lower among exclusively heterosexual women compared to all sexual minority groups. High religiosity was associated with lifetime alcohol abstention and was found to be protective against hazardous drinking and drug use among both sexual minority and heterosexual women. Reporting religious norms unfavorable to drinking was protective against hazardous drinking among exclusively heterosexual women but not sexual minority women Conclusions Findings reveal the importance of considering sexual minority status in evaluation of religion or spirituality as protective among women. Future studies should explore religiosity in the context of other individual and environmental factors, such as positive identity development and community-level acceptance, which may be salient to resiliency among sexual minorities.

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“…Historically, drinking locations (e.g., bars, clubs) have been social centers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and qualitative studies have highlighted their influence on drinking (Condit, Kitaji, Drabble, & Trocki, 2011; Gruskin, Byrne, Kools, & Altschuler, 2006). In fact, compared to heterosexual women, lesbian/bisexual women spend more time at bars/parties and bisexual women drink more alcohol in both locations (Trocki et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given that drinking is influenced by the extent to which it is perceived as normative and acceptable (Cullum, O’Grady, Armeli, & Tennen, 2012; Thombs et al, 1997), identifying where and with whom SMW drink can improve our understanding of contextual influences on drinking and, in turn, inform prevention and intervention efforts. Finally, research has focused on lesbians (Parks, Hughes, & Kinnison, 2007) or SMW (Condit et al, 2011) without examining differences between lesbians and bisexual women. Bisexual women are at particularly high risk for problematic drinking (McCabe et al, 2009), lack of support from LGBTQ individuals (Hequembourg & Brallier, 2009), and face prejudice from heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals (Brewster, Moradi, Deblaere, & Velez, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A descriptive analysis of where and with whom lesbian versus bisexual women drink

Feinstein¹,

Bird

Fairlie

et al. 2017

Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health

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Purpose Sexual minority women (SMW) are at increased risk for alcohol use disorders and related problems. Social context (e.g., where and with whom one drinks) has been identified as an important factor associated with drinking behavior, but little is known about social context among SMW. An improved understanding of social context among SMW has the potential to inform efforts to reduce problematic drinking and its consequences in this high-risk population. Methods We examined where and with whom SMW drink in a national sample recruited via social media (N = 1,057). Results SMW reported more frequent drinking in private locations (compared to public locations), with friends and romantic partners (compared to family members and strangers), and in locations with both heterosexuals and sexual minorities (compared to mostly or exclusively sexual minorities). Additionally, lesbians reported more frequent drinking in bars and in locations with more sexual minorities compared to bisexual women. Conclusion Interventions to reduce problematic drinking among SMW may benefit from addressing social context.

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Sexual-Minority Women and Alcohol: Intersections Between Drinking, Relational Contexts, Stress, and Coping

Cited by 54 publications

References 54 publications

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

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

Religiosity as a protective factor for hazardous drinking and drug use among sexual minority and heterosexual women: Findings from the National Alcohol Survey

A descriptive analysis of where and with whom lesbian versus bisexual women drink

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