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Chan RCH, Hung FN. Sexual Violence Victimization and Substance Use among Individuals Identifying on the Asexual Spectrum: Differences between Asexuality, Graysexuality, and Demisexuality. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38776181 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2351423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Despite the growing visibility of the asexual community across the globe, little is known about how individuals on the asexual spectrum navigate their (a)sexual experiences. Asexual individuals may be highly vulnerable to sexual violence victimization due to prejudice against their lack of sexual attraction. Perpetrators may seek to pressure asexual individuals into sexual activities by invalidating their asexuality or manipulating their need for emotional intimacy. Such non-consensual sexual acts or behaviors may have a profound impact on asexual individuals. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexual violence victimization and its relationship with substance use among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The data for this study were derived from a global sample of 8,752 individuals on the asexual spectrum from the Ace Community Survey. The results indicated that 67.4% of the participants had experienced at least one form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime. Experiences of sexual violence were related to more frequent engagement in substance use over the past year. Additionally, the results showed that compared with asexual individuals, graysexual and demisexual individuals were more likely to experience sexual violence, which was linked to substance use. Given the widespread prevalence and detrimental effects of sexual violence victimization, it is important to integrate asexual perspectives into prevention and intervention efforts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about affirmative consent and boundaries. The study also offers significant implications for trauma-informed care, public education, and social policies that address the unique needs and experiences of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fei Nga Hung
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Harlow AF, Liu F, Young LE, Coreas SI, Rahman T, Unger JB, Leventhal AM, Barrington-Trimis JL, Krueger EA. Sexual and Gender Identity Disparities in Nicotine and Tobacco Use Susceptibility and Prevalence: Disaggregating Emerging Identities Among Adolescents From California, USA. Nicotine Tob Res 2024; 26:203-211. [PMID: 37493636 PMCID: PMC10803110 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prior studies report nicotine/tobacco use disparities for sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth but have insufficiently characterized SGM identity diversity. AIMS AND METHODS Adolescents (mean age = 15.2) from 11 high schools in Southern California completed surveys in Fall 2021. Ever use of combustible (cigarettes, cigars, hookah) and noncombustible (e-cigarettes, e-hookah, heated tobacco, smokeless/snus, oral nicotine) nicotine/tobacco (among overall sample, n = 3795) and susceptibility to future initiation of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and flavored non-tobacco oral nicotine (among n = 3331 tobacco-naïve youth) were compared across four gender (male/masculine, female/feminine, transgender male/female, non-binary) and seven sexual (heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, queer, questioning, gay/lesbian, asexual) identities. RESULTS Non-binary (vs. cisgender male) youth had greater prevalence of ever combustible (prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.86, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.76 to 4.66) and non-combustible (PR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.86) nicotine/tobacco use, and susceptibility to future nicotine/tobacco initiation (PR range = 2.32-2.68). Transgender (vs. cisgender male) youth had greater susceptibility to nicotine/tobacco use (PR range = 1.73-1.95), but not greater tobacco use prevalence. There was greater prevalence of non-combustible nicotine/tobacco use (PR range = 1.78-1.97) and susceptibility to nicotine/tobacco initiation (PR range = 1.36-2.18) for all sexual minority (vs. heterosexual) identities, except for asexual. Bisexual (PR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.16) and queer (PR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.31 to 6.27) youth had higher ever combustible tobacco use than heterosexual youth. Questioning (vs. heterosexual) youth were more susceptible to future tobacco initiation (PR range = 1.36-2.05) but did not differ in ever use. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in nicotine/tobacco use and susceptibility were present with similar effect sizes across most, but not all, SGM identities. Inclusive measurement of SGM identities in research and surveillance may inform more precise tobacco control efforts to reduce disparities. IMPLICATIONS Among high school students from Southern California with substantial diversity in sexual and gender identities, there was greater prevalence of tobacco use and susceptibility to future tobacco initiation for most, but not all, sexual and gender minority youth, including those with emerging sexual and gender identities such as non-binary, queer and pansexual. Additionally, findings indicate that tobacco control initiatives targeting youth who are questioning their sexual identities may be particularly important for preventing tobacco use initiation. This study reinforces the importance of measuring diversity within the LGBTQ + community for tobacco use research, and highlights how inclusive measurement can inform more precise tobacco control interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa F Harlow
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lindsay E Young
- University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Saida I Coreas
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tahsin Rahman
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Adam M Leventhal
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica L Barrington-Trimis
- University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Evan A Krueger
- Tulane University, School of Social Work, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Meads C, Zeeman L, Sherriff N, Aranda K. Prevalence of alcohol use amongst sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) communities in the UK: a systematic scoping review. Alcohol Alcohol 2023:7145918. [PMID: 37114766 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agad029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND globally, alcohol use rates vary by sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), but UK government statistics on alcohol use in the LGBTQ+ population are missing. AIM this systematic scoping review determined the prevalence of alcohol use amongst gender and sexual minority people in the UK. METHODS empirical UK studies from 2010 onwards reporting the prevalence of alcohol use in SOGI compared with heterosexual/cisgender people were included. Searches in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Google, charity websites and systematic reviews were conducted in October 2021, using SOGI, alcohol and prevalence terms. Citation checking was done by two authors, with disagreements resolved through discussion. Data extraction was done by one author (CM) and checked by another (LZ). Quality assessment was performed by study design, sample type and statistical analysis of results. A narrative synthesis was qualitatively combined with a tabular presentation of results. RESULTS database and website searches found 6607 potentially relevant citations, and 505 full texts were reviewed with 20 studies included, found in 21 publications and grey literature reports. Most were on sexual orientation, including 12 from large cohort studies. Harmful alcohol use is higher in LGBTQ+ people than heterosexual people in the UK, a result similar to that found in other countries. Qualitative data reflected alcohol's role as emotional support. Fewer asexual people drank alcohol compared with allosexual people, and there were no data available regarding intersex people. CONCLUSION funded cohort studies and service providers should routinely collect SOGI data. Standardized reporting of SOGI and alcohol use would improve comparability across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Meads
- Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 2LZ, UK
- Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, University of Brighton, BN2 0JG, Brighton, UK
| | - Laetitia Zeeman
- Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, University of Brighton, BN2 0JG, Brighton, UK
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Nigel Sherriff
- Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, University of Brighton, BN2 0JG, Brighton, UK
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN1 9PH, UK
| | - Kay Aranda
- Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, University of Brighton, BN2 0JG, Brighton, UK
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN1 9PH, UK
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Pham T, Akamu C, Do A, Tomita KK, Combs S. Systems of Care Implications in Hawai'i: Sexual and Gender Minorities. HAWAI'I JOURNAL OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE 2022; 81:52-61. [PMID: 36660277 PMCID: PMC9783816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are diverse groups of people who do not identify as heterosexual or cisgender. SGM communities include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals as well as people of other sexual orientations and gender identities. SGM communities are disproportionately affected by substance use disorders, with differential use of specific substances among persons based on sexual or gender identity. As understood through the minority stress model, substance use and misuse among SGM people are tied to risk and resiliency factors at all levels of the social ecological paradigm. Despite the disproportionate burden of substance use disorders on SGM people in Hawai'i, very few resources or programs exist to ameliorate the impact of substance use on this community. Although some models of care could be useful for SGM people, community-specific interventions are scarce, especially in Hawai'i. To successfully meet the needs of SGM people in Hawai'i, multi-level transformation of the substance use prevention and treatment landscape must address: culturally appropriate service delivery; workforce recruitment and development; nimble and adequate financing; consistent data collection and reporting; and systems-level policy updates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaddeus Pham
- Harm Reduction Services Branch, Communicable Disease and Public Health
Nursing, Division, Hawai‘i Department of Health, Honolulu, HI (TP)
- Hep Free Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI (TP)
| | - Cade Akamu
- Department of Psychiatry, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI (CA)
- Office of Public Health Studies, Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI (CA)
| | - Annie Do
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (AD)
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Abrahão ABB, Kortas GT, Blaas IK, Koch Gimenes G, Leopoldo K, Malbergier A, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Castaldelli-Maia JM. The impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among sexual minorities. Int Rev Psychiatry 2022; 34:423-431. [PMID: 36151837 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2094223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper aimed to review the literature regarding the impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among Sexual Minorities (SM), with a focus on alcohol, opioids, stimulants, polydrug use, chemsex, cannabis and tobacco, as well as inequalities in the access to health care services. It is alarmingly clear that SM report higher rates of morbidity if compared to the general population. Health care delivery inequalities have also been reported in this special population. Also, the lack of data from low- and middle-income countries on substance use among SM is a major concern. Certainly, discrimination play a key-role among leading factors to substance abuse, continued use, disorders, and lower levels of preventive and treatment interventions. However, it may be difficult to estimate the impact of discrimination because of the lack of research data and different methodologies of literature studies. Moreover, SM are differently categorized and defined and evidences may be not comparable between studies. There is an urgent need of strategic guidelines and research investments aimed at prioritizing these populations disproportionately impacted by substance use. Equity-oriented policies and programs can facilitate opportunities and decrease substance use in these vulnerable subgroups, including community- and peer-led initiatives and nonjudgmental and inclusive health services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Israel Kanaan Blaas
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | - Kae Leopoldo
- Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Malbergier
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Torales
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André, Brazil
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