Dataset Information

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review.

ABSTRACT: Until the 1980s, the limited research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women (SMW) focused on alcohol and used samples recruited from gay bars, resulting in inflated estimates of hazardous drinking. Over the past several decades the number of AOD studies with SMW has increased dramatically. To characterize this literature, we conducted a scoping review to answer the following questions: What do we know, and what are the gaps in research about AOD use among SMW? We searched multiple electronic databases (Medline [PubMed], CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) for peer-reviewed research articles about AOD use among adult SMW published between January 1, 2000 and May 31, 2017. After duplicates were removed the search identified 4,204 articles. We reviewed the titles and abstracts and removed articles that did not meet inclusion criteria. We used full-text review of the remaining 229 articles to make a final determination regarding inclusion and we retained 181 articles for review. Although the quantity of AOD research with SMW has grown substantially, the great majority of studies have been conducted in the United States (US) and most focus on hazardous drinking; relatively little research has focused on other drugs. In addition, although there has been marked improvement in theories and methods used in this research, many gaps and limitations remain. Examples are the lack of longitudinal research; reliance on samples that tend to over-represent white, well-educated, and relatively young women; sparse attention to mechanisms underlying the disproportionately high rates of AOD use among SMW; and the absence of intervention research. In general, more high-quality research on SMW's use of AODs is needed, but gaps and limitations are particularly large in non-western countries. Addressing these research gaps and limitations is essential for providing information that can be used to develop more effective prevention and early intervention strategies, as well as for informing policies that can help to reduce risky drinking and drug misuse among SMW.

SUBMITTER: Hughes TL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7080264 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review.

Hughes Tonda L TL Veldhuis Cindy B CB Drabble Laurie A LA Wilsnack Sharon C SC

PloS one 20200318 3

Until the 1980s, the limited research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women (SMW) focused on alcohol and used samples recruited from gay bars, resulting in inflated estimates of hazardous drinking. Over the past several decades the number of AOD studies with SMW has increased dramatically. To characterize this literature, we conducted a scoping review to answer the following questions: What do we know, and what are the gaps in research about AOD use among SMW? We search ...[more]

PMID: 32187200

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundSexual minority women (SMW) report higher rates of heavy episodic drinking (HED) and adverse alcohol-related outcomes, including poor mental health, than heterosexual women. These disparities indicate a greater need for behavioral and mental health treatment for SMW. This study examined associations among alcohol outcomes, behavioral and mental health help-seeking, and treatment satisfaction among SMW by age, sexual identity, race/ethnicity, and income.MethodsParticipants included a community sample of 695 SMW (Mage = 40.0, SD = 14.1; 74.1% lesbian, 25.9% bisexual; 37.6% White, 35.8% Black, 23.2% Latinx; 26.3% annual income $14,999 or less). We used bivariate analyses to characterize the sample's demographic characteristics and multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations among variables.ResultsSMW subgroups based on age, race/ethnicity, and annual income differed in alcohol outcomes (i.e., HED, DSM-IV alcohol dependence, alcohol-related problem consequences, alcohol problem recognition, and motivation to reduce drinking); help-seeking; and treatment satisfaction. SMW who engaged in help-seeking for alcohol-related concerns were more likely than those who did not to meet criteria for DSM-IV alcohol dependence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.13; 95% CI = 2.77; 18.36), endorse alcohol-related problem consequences (aOR = 11.44; 95% CI = 3.88; 33.71), recognize problematic drinking (aOR = 14.56; 95% CI = 3.37; 62.97), and report motivation to reduce drinking (aOR = 5.26; 95% CI = 1.74; 15.88). SMW's alcohol outcomes did not differ based on their satisfaction with treatment or with providers.ConclusionsThis study's findings confirm SMW's elevated risk for HED and other alcohol-related outcomes and underscore the importance of identity-affirmative and accessible behavioral and mental health treatment for young, Black, and low-income SMW. Clinicians and intervention scientists should develop or enhance existing brief behavioral and mental health treatments for SMW engaging in HED who may not recognize that their drinking is problematic or who are not motivated to reduce drinking.

Project description:BackgroundTwo decades ago, there was almost no research on alcohol use among sexual minority women (SMW, e.g., lesbian, bisexual). Since then, a growing body of scientific literature documents substantial sexual orientation-related disparities in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Research has identified multiple risk factors associated with high-risk/hazardous drinking among SMW. However, this research has almost exclusively used cross-sectional designs, limiting the ability to draw conclusions about processes through which sexual minority status affects alcohol use. Longitudinal designs, although very rare in research on alcohol use among SMW, are important for testing mediational mechanisms and necessary to understanding how changes in social determinants impact alcohol use.AimTo describe the processes and lessons learned in conducting a 20-year longitudinal study focused on alcohol use among SMW.MethodsThe Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study includes five waves of data collection (2000-present) with an age and racially/ethnically diverse sample of 815 SMW (ages 18-83) originally recruited in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Illinois, a midwestern state in the United States (U.S.). Measures and focus have evolved over the course of the study.ResultsThe CHLEW study is the longest-running and most comprehensive study of SMW's drinking in the U.S. or elsewhere. Findings reported in more than 50 published manuscripts have contributed to understanding variations in SMW's risk for hazardous/harmful drinking based on sexual identity, age, race/ethnicity, sex/gender of partner, and many other factors.ConclusionsBy describing the process used in conducting this long-term study, its major findings, and the lessons learned, we hope to encourage and support other researchers in conducting longitudinal research focused on SMW's health. Such research is critically important in understanding and ultimately eliminating sexual orientation-related health disparities.

Dataset Information

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review.

Publications

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets