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Comparative Study
. 2012 Jan;50(1):97-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.05.008. Epub 2011 Jul 27.

Trajectories of alcohol and cigarette use among sexual minority and heterosexual girls

Michael P Marshal  1 , Kevin M King, Stephanie D Stepp, Alison Hipwell, Helen Smith, Tammy Chung, Mark S Friedman, Nina Markovic
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Trajectories of alcohol and cigarette use among sexual minority and heterosexual girls

Michael P Marshal et al. J Adolesc Health. 2012 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine disparities between sexual minority girls (SMGs) and heterosexual girls in trajectories of substance use over time.

Method: Girls were included in the analyses if they were 12-18 years of age at wave 1 and did not miss sexual orientation data at wave 4 (n = 7,765). Latent curve models were estimated across all four waves (extending from middle adolescence into young adulthood) to examine trajectories of cigarette and alcohol use.

Results: Initial levels of substance use were higher for SMGs than they were for heterosexual girls. SMGs also exhibited sharper escalations in use across all substances over time as they were transitioning into young adulthood.

Conclusions: Persistent rates of cigarette and heavy alcohol use among SMGs may increase their risk for a host of mental and physical health problems in adulthood. Clinicians should be prepared to discuss SMG health topics effectively and in private, and discuss prevention and intervention programs with girls at risk.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average trajectories of drunkenness in the previous 12 months reported by sexual minority girls and heterosexual girls in the Add Health study (n=7765)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Marshal MP, Friedman MS, Stall R, et al. Sexual orientation and adolescent substance use: A meta-analysis and methodological review. Addiction. 2008;103:546–556. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Corliss HL, Rosario M, Wypij D, et al. Sexual orientation disparities in longitudinal alcohol use patterns among adolescents: Findings from the Growing Up Today Study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162:1071–1078. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Marshal MP, Friedman MS, Stall R, Thompson AL. Individual trajectories of substance use in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and heterosexual youth. Addiction. 2009;104:974–981. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Tucker JS, Ellickson PL, Klein DJ. Understanding differences in substance use among bisexual and heterosexual young women. Women’s Health Issues. 2008;18:387–398. - PubMed
    1. Meyer IH. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psych Bull. 2003;129:674–697. - PMC - PubMed

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