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from Medical Issues
Study Shows Differences In Hazardous Drinking Among
Heterosexual, Bisexual And Lesbian-Identified Women
February 22, 2008 - A study published in Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, (Jan. 1, 2008), surveyed 405 self-identified lesbians in Chicago and 548 urban women from a national sample on rates of alcohol abuse.
The researchers found that "exclusively heterosexual women had lower rates than did all other women on all measures of hazardous drinking. Exclusively heterosexual women also reported less childhood sexual abuse, early alcohol use, and depression. Bisexual women reported more hazardous drinking indicators and depression than did exclusively or mostly lesbian women."
The researchers also note: "Research with adolescents has found that girls who identify as bisexual or who report having sex with both boys and other girls have the highest risk profiles in alcohol use, other substance use, and risky sexual behaviors in contrast with girls who identify as heterosexual or lesbian or who report having sex with only males or only females."
Possible explanations for elevated alcohol abuse among sexual minority women includes, according to this study: the importance of gay bars in social communities; minority stress resulting from harassment and discrimination; fewer social roles such as marriage or rearing children that may be protective against alcohol use. They observe, however: "...patterns of drinking and drinking-related problems appear to be quite variable among lesbians. Therefore, understanding factors that may increase or buffer sexual minority women's risk for hazardous drinking will permit the development of more culturally relevant prevention and intervention strategies."
Additional Reading: Study Evaluates Alcohol Consumption And Social Context In Seronegative Gay Males;
Researchers Examine Sensation Seeking And HIV Risk Behaviors Among South Africans;
Report on 'The Gay Report'
Updated: 25 February 2008
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