PTSD Symptoms and Hazardous Drinking Indicators among Trauma-Exposed Sexual Minority Women during Heightened Societal Stress

Helminen, Emily C.; Scheer, Jillian R.; Jackson, Skyler D.; Brisbin, Cal D.; Batchelder, Abigail; Cascalheira, Cory J.; Sullivan, Tami P.

doi:10.1080/08964289.2021.2006132

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…With a higher level of stigma and lower social support, sexual minorities (e.g., those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer) may be more vulnerable to pandemic-related stress. Helminen et al aimed to estimate whether PTSD symptoms and alcohol consumption were higher during high social stress, such as confinement in sexual-minority women exposed to trauma [ 42 ] ( Table 6 ). Between April and August 2020, participants were recruited through internet ads posted on different platforms (e.g., social media and LGBTQ-related online listservs).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our review explored the interactions between PTSSs, alcohol consumption and tobacco/nicotine consumption, and reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, showing strong interrelations between these three variables among various populations [ 26 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In the general population, as in the specific vulnerable populations examined, PTSSs and alcohol use (including AUD) frequently potentiated each other, though these results are mixed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Mengin

Rolling

Porche

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine use are frequently associated conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful situation globally and has worsened mental health conditions and addictions in the population. Our systematic review explores the links between PTSSs and (1) alcohol use and (2) tobacco or nicotine use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2020 and 16 December 2021. We included studies published in English concerning adults or adolescents. Included articles dealt simultaneously with the COVID-19 pandemic, PTSSs, and alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine use. The reports included were cross-sectional, longitudinal, or cohort studies. We categorized the reports according to the population explored. Our main outcomes are the impacts of PTSSs on (1) alcohol use and (2) tobacco and nicotine use and their relation to COVID-19-related stressors (worries, exposure, lockdown, and infection, either of self or relatives). Results: Of the 503 reports identified, 44 were assessed for eligibility, and 16 were included in our review, encompassing 34,408 participants. The populations explored were the general population, healthcare workers, war veterans, patients with substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations. Most studies were online surveys (14) with cross-sectional designs (11). Every study explored alcohol use, while only two assessed tobacco use. In most populations explored, a high level of PTSSs was associated with alcohol use increase. COVID-19-related stress was frequently correlated with either high PTSSs or alcohol use. In healthcare workers, PTSSs and alcohol use were not associated, while COVID-19 worries were related to both PTSSs and alcohol use. Discussion: 1. PTSSs and increased alcohol use are frequently associated, while COVID-19 worries might trigger both conditions and worsen their association. Alcohol use increase may represent either an inadequate way of coping with PTSSs or a vulnerability amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to PTSSs. As most studies were cross-sectional online surveys, longitudinal prospective studies are needed to ascertain the direction of the associations between these conditions. These studies need to be sufficiently powered and control for potential bias and confounders. 2. Our review highlighted that research about PTSSs and tobacco or nicotine use is scarce.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Mengin

Rolling

Porche

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…This review warrants feasibility and acceptability testing of self-compassion interventions in SGM populations (e.g., see Batchelder et al, 2020). However, we want to reiterate the concerns from Meyer (2003) that individual-level interventions may place the burden of reducing health disparities on marginalized individuals, when it is often broader societal stressors that contribute to these disparities (Helminen et al, 2021). We explicitly acknowledge that societal change ought to be a concurrent goal with implementing any individual intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the results of this review, self-compassion was robustly inversely associated with anxiety and depression symptomology with a large effect size. Given that suicidality, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use are also major health concerns in SGM populations (Helminen et al, 2021; Miranda-Mendizábal et al, 2017; Parent et al, 2019; Roberts et al, 2010; Scheer & Pachankis, 2019; Toomey et al, 2018), future research should consider including these variables as health outcomes to see how self-compassion relates to them. Future self-compassion research among SGM populations may be particularly important for PTSD as a recent literature review found that self-compassion is negatively associated with PTSD symptoms and self-compassion interventions may improve PTSD symptoms among general populations (Winders et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-compassion, minority stress, and mental health in sexual and gender minority populations: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Helminen¹,

Ducar²,

Scheer³

et al. 2023

Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

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Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations report numerous mental health disparities relative to heterosexual and cisgender populations, due in part to the effects of minority stress. This article evaluated self-compassion as a coping resource among SGM populations by (a) meta-analyzing the associations between self-compassion, minority stress, and mental health; and (b) synthesizing evidence for the mediating effects of self-compassion between minority stress and mental health. Systematic searches of databases identified 21 papers for the systematic review and 19 for the meta-analysis. Significant metaanalytic associations were found between self-compassion and minority stress (n = 4,296, r = À.29), psychological distress (n = 3,931, r = À.59), and well-being (n = 2,493, r = .50). The research synthesis identified supporting evidence for self-compassion as a coping resource for SGM people. The results of this review warrant further self-compassion research, particularly longitudinal research, for SGM populations. Public Health Significance StatementFindings from this meta-analysis and systematic review suggest that self-compassion may be an important coping resource to buffer against minority stress among sexual and gender minority populations at risk for mental health problems. Results from this review provide evidence from which to begin developing and implementing self-compassion interventions for sexual and gender minority populations to improve mental health.

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“…A third priority in this area is examining PTSS and attachment in diverse samples (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual minorities). Minority stress is a salient form of trauma that is associated with several negative mental and behavioral health outcomes, including PTSD (Dyar et al, 2021; Helminen et al, 2021; Lehavot & Simoni, 2011; Reisner et al, 2016). While there is little research that primarily examines the association between PTSS and attachment insecurity, even less has been conducted with diverse (i.e., in terms of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Support-seeking and active coping mitigate the association between posttrauma symptom severity and attachment insecurity in a community sample of trauma survivors.

Shaw¹,

Jakubiak²,

Scheer³

2023

Traumatology

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There is an established association between posttrauma symptom severity (PTSS) and attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance). However, few studies have examined this association among community samples of trauma-exposed individuals and identified factors that might moderate these associations. We sought to (a) replicate existing associations between PTSS and attachment insecurity in a community sample of trauma survivors and (b) determine the potential moderating role of support-seeking and coping behaviors. Our sample included 824 trauma-exposed individuals (MPCL-5 = 31.6, SD = 20.0; Mage = 37.4, SD = 13.2; 69.3% female; 79.1% White; 77.2% heterosexual). Participants completed an online survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Linear regression and moderation analyses tested the association between PTSS and attachment insecurity and whether support-seeking and coping behaviors moderated these associations. PTSS was positively associated with global attachment anxiety (β = .48, 95% confidence interval [.42, .54]) and global attachment avoidance (β = .06, [.15, .29]). The association between PTSS and attachment avoidance was weaker for people who reported greater instrumental and emotional support-seeking or greater active coping. This study provides evidence for the association between PTSS and attachment insecurity. Findings underscore the need to understand causal mechanisms underlying this association and critically evaluate how existing and future interventions can buffer attachment insecurity in trauma-exposed individuals.

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PTSD Symptoms and Hazardous Drinking Indicators among Trauma-Exposed Sexual Minority Women during Heightened Societal Stress

Cited by 9 publications

References 65 publications

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

The Intertwining of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Alcohol, Tobacco or Nicotine Use, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Self-compassion, minority stress, and mental health in sexual and gender minority populations: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Support-seeking and active coping mitigate the association between posttrauma symptom severity and attachment insecurity in a community sample of trauma survivors.

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