Robert W S Coulter1, Miesha Marzell2, Robert Saltz3, Ron Stall4, Christina Mair5. 1. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States. Electronic address: robert.ws.coulter@pitt.edu. 2. Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa,145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States. 3. Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research & Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612, United States. 4. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States. 5. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests there are important sexual-orientation differences in alcohol consumption, particularly among women. Little is known about where gay/lesbian and bisexual college students drink or differences in drinking patterns derived from graduated frequency measures between heterosexual, gay/lesbian, and bisexual students. The goal of this analysis was to examine patterns of alcohol consumption-including drinking prevalence, quantity, frequency, and contexts of use-by sexual orientation. METHODS: Data on sexual identity, gender, drinking behaviors, and drinking contexts were examined from repeated cross-sectional samples of undergraduate students attending 14 public California universities from 2003-2011 (n=58,903). Multivariable statistical techniques were employed to examine sexual-orientation differences stratified by gender. RESULTS: Gay males, lesbians, and bisexual females were significantly more likely to report drinking alcohol in the current semester than their same-gender heterosexual peers (relative risks ranged from 1.07 to 1.10, p-values <0.01). Among current drinkers, bisexual females consumed 7 or more drinks and lesbians consumed 10 or more drinks on significantly more days than heterosexual females. On the other hand, gay male drinkers consumed 8 or more drinks on significantly fewer days than heterosexual male drinkers. Compared to their same-gender heterosexual peers: lesbian/gay and bisexual students drank less frequently at Greek parties (incidence rate ratios [IRRs] ranged from 0.52 to 0.73, p-values <0.01); lesbians (IRR=0.84, p=0.043) and bisexual males (IRR=0.82, p=0.009) drank less frequently at off-campus parties; and gay males drank more frequently outdoors (IRR=1.63, p<0.001) and at bars/restaurants (IRR=1.21, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol prevention programs and future research should consider sexual-orientation differences in drinking patterns and use of drinking contexts.
BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests there are important sexual-orientation differences in alcohol consumption, particularly among women. Little is known about where gay/lesbian and bisexual college students drink or differences in drinking patterns derived from graduated frequency measures between heterosexual, gay/lesbian, and bisexual students. The goal of this analysis was to examine patterns of alcohol consumption-including drinking prevalence, quantity, frequency, and contexts of use-by sexual orientation. METHODS: Data on sexual identity, gender, drinking behaviors, and drinking contexts were examined from repeated cross-sectional samples of undergraduate students attending 14 public California universities from 2003-2011 (n=58,903). Multivariable statistical techniques were employed to examine sexual-orientation differences stratified by gender. RESULTS: Gay males, lesbians, and bisexual females were significantly more likely to report drinking alcohol in the current semester than their same-gender heterosexual peers (relative risks ranged from 1.07 to 1.10, p-values <0.01). Among current drinkers, bisexual females consumed 7 or more drinks and lesbians consumed 10 or more drinks on significantly more days than heterosexual females. On the other hand, gay male drinkers consumed 8 or more drinks on significantly fewer days than heterosexual male drinkers. Compared to their same-gender heterosexual peers: lesbian/gay and bisexual students drank less frequently at Greek parties (incidence rate ratios [IRRs] ranged from 0.52 to 0.73, p-values <0.01); lesbians (IRR=0.84, p=0.043) and bisexual males (IRR=0.82, p=0.009) drank less frequently at off-campus parties; and gay males drank more frequently outdoors (IRR=1.63, p<0.001) and at bars/restaurants (IRR=1.21, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS:Alcohol prevention programs and future research should consider sexual-orientation differences in drinking patterns and use of drinking contexts.
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Mark S Friedman; Ron Stall; Kevin M King; Jonathan Miles; Melanie A Gold; Oscar G Bukstein; Jennifer Q Morse Journal: Addiction Date: 2008-04 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Robert W S Coulter; Hee-Jin Jun; Jerel P Calzo; Nhan L Truong; Christina Mair; Nina Markovic; Brittany M Charlton; Anthony J Silvestre; Ron Stall; Heather L Corliss Journal: Addiction Date: 2018-04-21 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Robert W S Coulter; Hee-Jin Jun; Nhan Truong; Christina Mair; Nina Markovic; M Reuel Friedman; Anthony J Silvestre; Ron Stall; Heather L Corliss Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2019-10-18 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Heather L McCauley; Kelley A Jones; Dana L Rofey; Taylor A Reid; Elizabeth Miller; Robert W S Coulter Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2020-04-16 Impact factor: 9.308