The Relationship Between Early Drinking Contexts of Women “Coming Out” as Lesbian and Current Alcohol Use

Abstract

Several decades of research show that lesbians are at risk for hazardous drinking. Compared with heterosexual women, lesbians are less likely to abstain from drinking, less likely to decrease their alcohol consumption as they age, and more likely to report alcohol-related problems. Stress associated with lesbian identity and reliance on lesbian or gay bars for socialization and support are frequently posited--but largely untested--explanations for lesbians' heightened risk. Results from general population studies indicate that patterns of alcohol use established early in the life-course or during life transitions influence later alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Further, heavy-drinking peers, availability of alcohol, and drinking in particular social contexts--such as at bars and parties--are believed to contribute to heavier drinking and to alcohol-related problems. To better understand lesbians' risks for hazardous drinking, we examined relationships between retrospective accounts of drinking patterns and drinking contexts in the early stages of lesbian identity development and current drinking outcomes in a large sample of adult lesbians. Findings suggest that early drinking patterns and drinking contexts influence later alcohol use and have important implications for risk reduction and prevention among lesbians.

A model for lesbian, bisexual and queer-related influences on alcohol consumption and implications for policy and practice

“…Further, lesbian, bisexual and queer women who come out before age 21 report earlier onset of drinking than those who come out later, perhaps as a consequence of being exposed to heavy drinking communities at an earlier age (Parks and Heller 2013). earlier coming out may also be associated with earlier experiences of homophobia, which also increases drinking (Parks, Hughes, and Kinnison 2007). Some studies have identified problems related to bars being popular meeting places, such as lesbian, bisexual and queer women feeling a social pressure to drink, or consuming alcohol to cope with feelings of self-consciousness in these settings, particularly during the 'coming out' phase (condit et al 2011).…”

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

“…Many of the findings of this study are consistent with other research related to alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems among sexual minority women. For example, other studies have linked sexual minority women’s alcohol consumption with both individual and environmental influences such as abuse and alcoholism in the family of origin (Hughes, et al, 2007; Parks 1999b) and the influence of patronizing bars and participating in other alcohol-oriented drinking contexts in the process of coming out and creating community (Heffernan, 1998; Hequembourg & Brallier, 2009; Parks & Hughes, 2004, 2005, 2007; Parks, et al, 2007). The degree to which family members were supportive or judgmental about the respondents’ sexual identity was consistently identified as having had a significant impact, both in adolescence and adulthood; this finding is consistent with literature suggesting that parental support has an important impact on health outcomes for sexual minority women and men (Needham & Austin, 2010; Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanches, 2009).…”

“…Qualitative studies that explore lesbian experiences with alcohol, the role of alcohol in creating community and developing identity, and meanings associated with use of alcohol and social contexts that are alcohol-centered are particularly useful in examining the complex factors that contribute to disparities in risk for alcohol problems among sexual minority women (Parks, 1999b; Parks & Hughes, 2004, 2005, 2007; Parks, Hughes, & Kinnison, 2007). Several qualitative studies have noted the prevalence of the lesbian bar as a meeting place for sexual minority women (Gruskin, et al, 2006; Hequembourg & Brallier, 2009; Parks, 1999).…”

Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems Among Sexual Minority Women

“…These findings, and those of other studies (e.g., Herek, Norton, Allen, & Sims, 2010), suggest that sexual minority youth are coming out at ages earlier than their older counterparts. Given evidence that younger age of coming out is associated with hazardous drinking as well as elevated health risks of childhood maltreatment, gay-related harassment, and suicidality (Corliss, Cochran, Mays, Greenland, & Seeman, 2009; Friedman, Marshal, Stall, Cheong, & Wright, 2008; Parks, Hughes, & Kinnison, 2007), contemporary sexual minority youth may be at even greater risk of hazardous drinking than their older sexual minority counterparts.…”