Ryan J Watson1, Jessica N Fish2, Whitney Denary3, Antonia Caba4, Casey Cunningham4, Lisa A Eaton4. 1. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States. Electronic address: ryanwatson@uconn.edu. 2. Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States. 3. School of Public Health, Yale University, CT, United States. 4. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are more likely than their cisgender and heterosexual peers to use substances and to be bullied, yet it is unknown whether the absence/presence of youth- and LGBTQ-specific equity laws drive these disparities. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research focused on adult- and LGBTQ-specific structural factors (e.g., same-sex marriage laws) to determine whether the youths' structural environment (i.e., state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws) was associated with bullying and recent alcohol use, binge drinking, and cigarette use among SGMY. PROCEDURES: We utilized data from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey, collected in 2017 (N = 8,841 sexual and gender minority youth). Linear regression analyses examined the association between bullying and substance use and between state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws (individually and as a composite variable) and bullying and substance use. FINDINGS: SGMY living in states with LGBTQ equity laws were less likely to experience bullying. Findings regarding the relation between LGBTQ equity laws and substance use were mixed, such that LGBTQ equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol use, and a lower likelihood of cigarette use. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the role of state-level equity laws in reducing bullying and substance use disparities for SGMY. Yet, given the finding that equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking, it is important to continue to explore how the structural environment shapes SGMY health.
PURPOSE: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are more likely than their cisgender and heterosexual peers to use substances and to be bullied, yet it is unknown whether the absence/presence of youth- and LGBTQ-specific equity laws drive these disparities. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research focused on adult- and LGBTQ-specific structural factors (e.g., same-sex marriage laws) to determine whether the youths' structural environment (i.e., state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws) was associated with bullying and recent alcohol use, binge drinking, and cigarette use among SGMY. PROCEDURES: We utilized data from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey, collected in 2017 (N = 8,841 sexual and gender minority youth). Linear regression analyses examined the association between bullying and substance use and between state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws (individually and as a composite variable) and bullying and substance use. FINDINGS: SGMY living in states with LGBTQ equity laws were less likely to experience bullying. Findings regarding the relation between LGBTQ equity laws and substance use were mixed, such that LGBTQ equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol use, and a lower likelihood of cigarette use. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the role of state-level equity laws in reducing bullying and substance use disparities for SGMY. Yet, given the finding that equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking, it is important to continue to explore how the structural environment shapes SGMY health.
Authors: Jessica N Fish; Ryan J Watson; Carolyn M Porta; Stephen T Russell; Elizabeth M Saewyc Journal: Addiction Date: 2017-07-05 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Michelle M Johns; Richard Lowry; Jack Andrzejewski; Lisa C Barrios; Zewditu Demissie; Timothy McManus; Catherine N Rasberry; Leah Robin; J Michael Underwood Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2019-01-25 Impact factor: 17.586
Authors: Jillian R Scheer; Katie M Edwards; Alan Z Sheinfil; Michelle R Dalton; Madison K Firkey; Ryan J Watson Journal: J Interpers Violence Date: 2021-08-09