Daniel Demant1, Leanne Hides1, David J Kavanagh1, Katherine M White1, Adam R Winstock2, Jason Ferris3,4. 1. School of Psychology and Counselling and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 2. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. 3. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 4. ARC Centre for Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract
Background: This study examines substance use disparities among homosexual, bisexual and heterosexual adolescents and young adults from nine countries. Methods: Data from 58 963 respondents (aged 16 and 35 years) to the 2015 'Global Drug Survey' were utilized. Rates of lifetime, last-year, last-month use and age of onset of 13 different substances were compared across sexual identity subgroups. Results: Adolescents and young adults with a sexual minority identity generally reported higher rates of substance use and an earlier age of onset compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Differences in substance use were larger among female groups than male groups, and rates of substance use were generally higher among bisexuals than homosexuals of both genders. Conclusion: Higher rates of substance use in bisexuals compared with homosexuals among both genders and larger differences between female groups highlight the importance of differentiating between sexual minority identities in substance use research, and in designing substance misuse interventions for people with a sexual minority identity.
Background: This study examines substance use disparities among homosexual, bisexual and heterosexual adolescents and young adults from nine countries. Methods: Data from 58 963 respondents (aged 16 and 35 years) to the 2015 'Global Drug Survey' were utilized. Rates of lifetime, last-year, last-month use and age of onset of 13 different substances were compared across sexual identity subgroups. Results: Adolescents and young adults with a sexual minority identity generally reported higher rates of substance use and an earlier age of onset compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Differences in substance use were larger among female groups than male groups, and rates of substance use were generally higher among bisexuals than homosexuals of both genders. Conclusion: Higher rates of substance use in bisexuals compared with homosexuals among both genders and larger differences between female groups highlight the importance of differentiating between sexual minority identities in substance use research, and in designing substance misuse interventions for people with a sexual minority identity.
Authors: Karen F Trocki; Amy A Mericle; Laurie A Drabble; Jamie L Klinger; Cindy B Veldhuis; Tonda L Hughes; Katherine J Karriker-Jaffe Journal: Int J Alcohol Drug Res Date: 2020-10-19