Jonathan K Noel, Stephanie E Tudela, Samantha R Rosenthal
{"title":"Sexual minority status, illicit drug use, and depressive symptoms.","authors":"Jonathan K Noel, Stephanie E Tudela, Samantha R Rosenthal","doi":"10.1080/19361653.2023.2187918","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and who identify with other sexual orientations (LGB+) are at higher risk for illicit drug use and have higher rates of mental illness. The current study examined the prevalence of illicit drug use among LGB+ persons and assessed the moderating effect of mental illness. Cross-sectional data from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System were aggregated. The outcome was any reported use of cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, or hallucinogens. The primary exposure was self-reported sexual orientation category (i.e., heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, not sure). Self-reported depressive symptoms were tested as a moderator. Logistic regression models assessed main and interactive effects. Gay or lesbian students [AOR=1.87 95%CI: 1.45,2.43], bisexual students [AOR=2.07 95%CI: 1.77,2.42], and those unsure of their sexual orientation [AOR=1.99 95%CI: 1.65,2.39] had increased odds of illicit drug use. Odds were higher among LGB+ youth who did not have depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Odds of illicit substance use was significantly greater in youth identifying as gay and lesbian, bisexual, and students who were not sure about their sexual orientation and among LGB+ youth without depressive symptoms. Targeted, but non-stigmatizing, prevention programs are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":46767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of LGBT Youth","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11114600/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of LGBT Youth","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2023.2187918","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/3/16 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SOCIAL SCIENCES, INTERDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and who identify with other sexual orientations (LGB+) are at higher risk for illicit drug use and have higher rates of mental illness. The current study examined the prevalence of illicit drug use among LGB+ persons and assessed the moderating effect of mental illness. Cross-sectional data from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System were aggregated. The outcome was any reported use of cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, or hallucinogens. The primary exposure was self-reported sexual orientation category (i.e., heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, not sure). Self-reported depressive symptoms were tested as a moderator. Logistic regression models assessed main and interactive effects. Gay or lesbian students [AOR=1.87 95%CI: 1.45,2.43], bisexual students [AOR=2.07 95%CI: 1.77,2.42], and those unsure of their sexual orientation [AOR=1.99 95%CI: 1.65,2.39] had increased odds of illicit drug use. Odds were higher among LGB+ youth who did not have depressive symptoms (p<0.001). Odds of illicit substance use was significantly greater in youth identifying as gay and lesbian, bisexual, and students who were not sure about their sexual orientation and among LGB+ youth without depressive symptoms. Targeted, but non-stigmatizing, prevention programs are needed.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of LGBT Youth is the interdisciplinary forum dedicated to improving the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. This quarterly journal presents peer-reviewed scholarly articles, practitioner-based essays, policy analyses, and revealing narratives from young people. This invaluable resource is committed to advancing knowledge about, and support of, LGBT youth. The wide-ranging topics include formal and non-formal education; family; peer culture; the media, arts, and entertainment industry; religious institutions and youth organizations; health care; and the workplace.