Dalton L Klare1, Sean Esteban McCabe2,3,4, Jason A Ford5, Ty S Schepis1. 1. Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA. 2. Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 3. Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 4. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. 5. Department of Sociology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the effects of sexual identity, educational status, and their interaction on the past-year prevalence of controlled prescription use and prescription drug misuse (PDM) in U.S. young adults, 18-25 years. Methods: Data were from the 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (young adult N = 38,298). Past-year prescription opioid, stimulant and benzodiazepine use and PDM were outcomes, with PDM defined as use without a prescription or in ways not intended by the prescriber. Separate regressions by sex evaluated the relationship between prescription medication use or PDM prevalence and sexual identity, educational status/attainment (college student/graduate versus non-college), their interaction and past-year psychological distress. Results: Sexual identity minority young adults had higher rates of prescription use and PDM than heterosexual young adults. After accounting for educational status, though, bisexual men rarely differed from heterosexual men; after including psychological distress, gay men rarely differed from heterosexual men. Versus heterosexual women, lesbian (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.47-2.30) and bisexual (AOR= 1.78, 95% CI = 1.27-2.50) young adult women had higher rates of prescription opioid misuse, after adjusting for educational status, psychological distress and sociodemographics. Versus heterosexual men, benzodiazepine PDM was elevated in gay men (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI= 1.02-3.58). Educational status was generally associated with lower rates of prescription use and PDM, except for stimulant PDM. Conclusions: Screening for psychological distress and PDM is needed in sexual identity minority young adults, especially for prescription opioid misuse among sexual identity minority women. Culturally-sensitive intervention should be considered for those with elevated psychological distress or signs of PDM. Further research on the sex differences found in the link between psychological distress and sexual identity minority opioid and stimulant PDM is warranted.
BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the effects of sexual identity, educational status, and their interaction on the past-year prevalence of controlled prescription use and prescription drug misuse (PDM) in U.S. young adults, 18-25 years. Methods: Data were from the 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (young adult N = 38,298). Past-year prescription opioid, stimulant and benzodiazepine use and PDM were outcomes, with PDM defined as use without a prescription or in ways not intended by the prescriber. Separate regressions by sex evaluated the relationship between prescription medication use or PDM prevalence and sexual identity, educational status/attainment (college student/graduate versus non-college), their interaction and past-year psychological distress. Results: Sexual identity minority young adults had higher rates of prescription use and PDM than heterosexual young adults. After accounting for educational status, though, bisexual men rarely differed from heterosexual men; after including psychological distress, gay men rarely differed from heterosexual men. Versus heterosexual women, lesbian (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.47-2.30) and bisexual (AOR= 1.78, 95% CI = 1.27-2.50) young adult women had higher rates of prescription opioid misuse, after adjusting for educational status, psychological distress and sociodemographics. Versus heterosexual men, benzodiazepine PDM was elevated in gay men (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI= 1.02-3.58). Educational status was generally associated with lower rates of prescription use and PDM, except for stimulant PDM. Conclusions: Screening for psychological distress and PDM is needed in sexual identity minority young adults, especially for prescription opioid misuse among sexual identity minority women. Culturally-sensitive intervention should be considered for those with elevated psychological distress or signs of PDM. Further research on the sex differences found in the link between psychological distress and sexual identity minority opioid and stimulant PDM is warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Education; prescription misuse; sexual identity; substance use; young adults
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