Laurie A Drabble1, Karen F Trocki2, Rachael A Korcha3, Jamie L Klinger4, Cindy B Veldhuis5, Tonda L Hughes6. 1. School of Social Work San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0124, United States. Electronic address: laurie.drabble@sjsu.edu. 2. Alcohol Research Group, 6001 Shellmound St, Suite 450, Emeryville CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: ktrocki@arg.org. 3. Alcohol Research Group, 6001 Shellmound St, Suite 450, Emeryville CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: rkorcha@arg.org. 4. Alcohol Research Group, 6001 Shellmound St, Suite 450, Emeryville CA 94608, United States. Electronic address: jklinger@arg.org. 5. School of Nursing, Columbia University, 630 West 168(th) Street, Mail Box Code 6, New York, NY 10032, United States. Electronic address: c.veldhuis@columbia.edu. 6. School of Nursing, Columbia University, 630 West 168(th) Street, Mail Box Code 6, New York, NY 10032, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 630 West 168(th) Street, Mail Box Code 6, New York, NY 10032, United States. Electronic address: Th2696@cumc.columbia.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine similarities and differences in demographics and key substance use and mental health outcomes in a probability sample of heterosexual women and two samples of sexual minority women (SMW), one recruited using probability and the other using non-probability methods. METHODS: Using data from four waves of the National Alcohol Survey (NAS; n = 315 SMW; 10,523 heterosexual women) and Wave 3 of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW; n = 688 SMW) study, we examined hazardous drinking, drug use, tobacco use, depression, and help-seeking for alcohol or other drug problems. RESULTS: Compared to SMW in the probability sample, SMW in the non-probability sample were older, more likely to be college educated, and more likely to be in a partnered relationship. Compared to heterosexuals, SMW in both the probability and non-probability samples had greater odds of past-year hazardous drinking, marijuana use, and other drug use. We found similar results for lifetime help-seeking for alcohol or drug problems, past week depression, and co-occurring hazardous drinking and depression. In comparisons with heterosexual women, the magnitude of difference for drug use was greater for the SMW non-probability sample; for tobacco use, the difference was greater for the SMW probability sample. CONCLUSION: Given the difficulties recruiting probability samples of SMW, researchers will continue to use non-probability samples in the foreseeable future. Thus, understanding how findings may differ between probability and non-probability samples is critically important in advancing research on sexual-orientation-related health disparities.
OBJECTIVE: To examine similarities and differences in demographics and key substance use and mental health outcomes in a probability sample of heterosexual women and two samples of sexual minority women (SMW), one recruited using probability and the other using non-probability methods. METHODS: Using data from four waves of the National Alcohol Survey (NAS; n = 315 SMW; 10,523 heterosexual women) and Wave 3 of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW; n = 688 SMW) study, we examined hazardous drinking, drug use, tobacco use, depression, and help-seeking for alcohol or other drug problems. RESULTS: Compared to SMW in the probability sample, SMW in the non-probability sample were older, more likely to be college educated, and more likely to be in a partnered relationship. Compared to heterosexuals, SMW in both the probability and non-probability samples had greater odds of past-year hazardous drinking, marijuana use, and other drug use. We found similar results for lifetime help-seeking for alcohol or drug problems, past week depression, and co-occurring hazardous drinking and depression. In comparisons with heterosexual women, the magnitude of difference for drug use was greater for the SMW non-probability sample; for tobacco use, the difference was greater for the SMW probability sample. CONCLUSION: Given the difficulties recruiting probability samples of SMW, researchers will continue to use non-probability samples in the foreseeable future. Thus, understanding how findings may differ between probability and non-probability samples is critically important in advancing research on sexual-orientation-related health disparities.
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