The Prevalence of Alcoholism and Feelings of Alienation in Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Jaffe, Carrie; Clance, Pauline Rose; Nichols, Margaret; Emshoff, James G.

doi:10.1300/j236v03n03_03

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Studies with smaller, nonprobability samples have found greater alcohol misuse among SMW veterans in the US [49] and higher likelihood of positive screens for alcoholism among SMW participants recruited from women's groups [50], compared to their heterosexual counterparts.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Aod Use and Related Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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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 peerreviewed 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.

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Section: Prevalence Of Aod Use and Related Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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“…However, differences in lesbians' and heterosexual women's drinking patterns and rates of drinking-related problems continue to be reported. In general, findings from more recent studies suggest that lesbians are more likely than heterosexual women to drink, and that age-related drinking patterns vary less among lesbians than heterosexual women (see Hughes and Eliason, 2002, for a detailed review; also Diamant, Wold, Spritzer, and Gelberg, 2000;Gruskin, Hart, Gordon, and Ackerson, 2001;Jaffe, Clance, Nichols, and Emshoff, 2000;Valanis et al, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Differences in Lesbian¹Identity Development and Drinking

Parks

Hughes²

2007

Substance Use & Misuse

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Women who "come out" as lesbian must learn to cope with a stigmatized identity. Stress associated with the sexual identity development process is a commonly posed explanation for the high rates of "heavy drinking" and drinking consumption-related problems within this population. However, relatively little is known about the sexual identity development process in lesbians and even less about lesbians' drinking patterns during this process. Growing societal tolerance and visibility of sexual minorities over the past 35 years has likely created substantially different environments and experiences of coming out for individuals of different age cohorts. Data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study provided the opportunity to examine relationships between variables associated with lesbian identity development and alcohol use-related problems in three age cohorts of self-identified lesbians. The study's limitations are noted.

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“…Community-based studies that have compared prevalence rates and problems with AOD use among LBT and heterosexual women have generally concluded that LBT women have higher incidence of and greater problems associated with AOD use 2,12,19,29. Moreover, meta-analyses looking at both adult studies30 and youth studies31 conclude that overall LBT females are more likely to report substance use compared to their heterosexual counterparts.…”

Section: Substance Abuse and Related Issues For Lbt Womenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meeting the substance abuse treatment needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women: implications from research to practice

Stevens¹

2012

SAR

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Research on the incidence, etiology and substance abuse treatment needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) women is limited. Most research indicates higher levels of alcohol and drug abuse among these populations compared to their heterosexual counterparts, with recent research indicating that substance abuse is a particular concern for transgender individuals and an increasing problem among younger LBT individuals. Risk factors and reasons for substance abuse among sexual minority women are similar to those of heterosexual women, yet are substantially complicated by issues of family rejection and lack of social support, stigma and minority stress, as well as abuse and harassment. Historically, substance abuse prevention, early intervention, and clinical treatment programs were designed to meet the needs of the sexual majority population with relatively few programs designed to incorporate the specific needs of sexual minorities. This article reviews findings from previous studies and utilizes new data collected from community-based and residential substance abuse treatment programs to (1) examine issues relevant to LBT women and substance use, and (2) make recommendations for tailoring substance abuse treatment programs to meet the needs of these populations.

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The Prevalence of Alcoholism and Feelings of Alienation in Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

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

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

Age Differences in Lesbian¹Identity Development and Drinking

Meeting the substance abuse treatment needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women: implications from research to practice

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The Prevalence of Alcoholism and Feelings of Alienation in Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

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

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

Age Differences in Lesbian1Identity Development and Drinking

Meeting the substance abuse treatment needs of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women: implications from research to practice

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Product

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Age Differences in Lesbian¹Identity Development and Drinking