Alcohol in the life narratives of women: Commonalities and differences by sexual orientation

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to explore social representations of alcohol use among women, with a focus on possible differences between sexual minority and heterosexual women. Methods This qualitative study was part of a larger study examining mediators of heavier drinking among sexual minority women (lesbian identified, bisexual identified, and heterosexual identified with same sex partners) compared to heterosexual women based on the National Alcohol Survey. Qualitative in-depth life history interviews were conducted over the telephone with 48 women who had participated in the 2009–2010 National Alcohol Survey, including respondents representing different sexual orientation groups. Questions explored the lives and experiences of women, and how use of alcohol may connect to those experiences. Findings Representations about normative and risky use included social use, use in relation to community connection, addictive use and self-medication. Other representations common across groups included articulation of boundaries that were defined by negative exemplars, marked by indicators of loss of control, and maintained through selective engagement of social networks. Although representations across groups were similar, some representations, such as alcohol use in fostering community connection, appeared to be more salient for sexual minority women. The findings of the study underscore the importance of considering both commonalities and potential differences among women by sexual orientation in meanings and perceived risks associated with alcohol use in future research and intervention efforts.

Understanding barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment among Latinos

“…Studies comparing qualitative results from telephone vs. face-to-face interviews have documented no significant differences between methodologies (Sturges & Hanrahan, 2004). Interviews by telephone may have the added advantage of reducing biases (e.g., social desirability) associated with divulging sensitive information due to increased feelings of anonymity, and they can capture hard-to-reach and diverse populations, regardless of geographical location (Drabble & Trocki, 2014; Drabble et al, 2010; Novick, 2008; Opdenakker, 2006; Waterman et al, 1999).…”

Unevenness in Health at the Intersection of Gender and Sexuality: Sexual Minority Disparities in Alcohol and Drug Use Among Transwomen in the San Francisco Bay Area

“…A qualitative study conducted with sexual minority and heterosexual cisgender women found that the meaning of alcohol consumption in fostering community connection was more salient for sexual minority cisgender women and similar meanings may help understand alcohol and drug use in sexual minority transwomen (Drabble & Trocki, 2014). Are there specific environments and conditions – physical, discursive, or ideological – embedded within hegemonic heteronormativity that protects heterosexual transwomen from the sexual minority health disparities identified in this study?…”

Reciprocal relationships over time between descriptive norms and alcohol use in young adult sexual minority women.

“…This also could be a product of socializing with other SMW in heavier drinking contexts. Despite changes in societal acceptance toward SMW, much of the socializing among the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community still occurs in heavier drinking settings (Drabble & Trocki, 2014; McKirnan & Peterson, 1989; Trocki et al, 2005), which may in turn lead to higher community perceived norms. This is the first study to evaluate differences between sexual minority specific and typical woman perceived normative drinking.…”