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Lee YH, Chang YC, Shelley M, López Castillo H. Sexual minority identifiers and their perception of illicit drug use risks in the US: Results from a National Survey. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 175:183-191. [PMID: 38735263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.05.010] [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] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined the relationship between sexual identities and perception of risks associated with illicit drug use among a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS We analyzed data from five waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2015-2019), with 205,418 adult participants. Six survey questions assessing participants' perceptions of the risks associated with illicit drug use (LSD, heroin, and cocaine) were subjected to principal component analysis. Sex-stratified ordered logistic regressions were used to explore potential disparities in perceptions regarding the risk associated with illicit drug use among sexual minority identifiers. RESULTS Among male participants, approximately 11.3% and 1.8% of them perceived illicit drug use as moderate and low risks, respectively. About 6.0% of female participants perceived illicit drug use as moderate risk, and 1.1% of female participants perceived it as low risk. The sex-stratified regression models demonstrated that participants who identified as lesbian/gay or bisexual all had higher odds of reporting low perception of illicit drug use risks as compared to their heterosexual counterparts (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Illicit drug use prevention strategies should consider risk perception disparities by sexual minority populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Han Lee
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Academic Health Sciences Center, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Yen-Chang Chang
- Center for General Education, National Tsing Human University, Taiwan
| | - Mack Shelley
- Departments of Statistics and Political Science, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iowa State University. Ames, IA, United States
| | - Humberto López Castillo
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, Academic Health Sciences Center, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, United States; Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Academic Health Sciences Center, University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL, United States.
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Romm KF, Ehlke SJ, Smith MA, Vogel EA, McQuoid J, Kendzor DE, Cohn AM. Cannabis Use Differences Among Sexual Minority Versus Heterosexual Females and Males in Oklahoma: The Roles of Mental Health, Cannabis Perceptions, and Cannabis Marketing Exposure. SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTION JOURNAL 2024; 45:101-113. [PMID: 38258857 DOI: 10.1177/29767342231208519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the high cannabis use rates among sexual minority (SM) individuals, less research has examined factors related to cannabis use among SM (vs. heterosexual) individuals, especially in places with legal medical cannabis retail markets and high structural stigma, like Oklahoma. METHODS Data were from a survey of Oklahoma adults, including 3020 females (18.6% SM) and 2279 males (10.1% SM). Bivariate analyses examined associations of sexual identity with cannabis-related factors (i.e., perceived harm, positive attitudes, marketing exposure, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms) and cannabis use and use severity (i.e., past 30-day use, daily/near-daily use, cannabis use disorder [CUD] symptoms). Logistic regression examined associations of sexual identity and cannabis-related factors with cannabis use and use severity among females and males, separately. RESULTS SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported greater odds of past 30-day cannabis use and daily/near-daily use, lower harm perceptions, greater marketing exposure, and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms. Lower harm perceptions and greater marketing exposure were associated with greater odds of past 30-day use, whereas marketing exposure was associated with greater odds of daily/near-daily use. SM (vs. heterosexual) males reported greater odds of daily/near-daily use and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported higher rates of cannabis use, whereas SM (vs. heterosexual) females and males reported higher rates of daily/near-daily cannabis use. Potential targets for cannabis-related health campaigns aimed at reducing use differences include correcting misinterpretations of harm that may emanate from cannabis marketing efforts among females and addressing depressive symptoms among males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn F Romm
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Sarah J Ehlke
- Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Michael A Smith
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Erin A Vogel
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Julia McQuoid
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Darla E Kendzor
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Amy M Cohn
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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Romm KF, Cohn AM, Beebe LA, Berg CJ. Disparities in cannabis use outcomes, perceived risks and social norms across sexual orientation groups of US young adult women and men. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2023; 38:513-526. [PMID: 37756620 PMCID: PMC10714042 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyad038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Little research has examined mechanisms driving cannabis use disparities among sexual minority (SM; versus heterosexual) young adults (YAs). Participants were US YA women (N = 1345; 24.8% bisexual, 6.1% lesbian) and men (N = 998: 8.9% bisexual, 13.8% gay). Bivariate analyses examined associations between sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual) and cannabis use outcomes (past 30-day [current] use, use frequency, cannabis-tobacco dual use, use intentions), perceived risks (harm, addictiveness) and social norms (social acceptability, peer use). Regressions examined sexual orientation, perceived risks and social norms as correlates of cannabis outcomes. Bisexual and lesbian (versus heterosexual) women reported lower cannabis-related perceived risks, greater social norms and higher odds of current use. Bisexual (versus heterosexual) women reported more days of use, higher odds of cannabis-tobacco dual use and greater use intentions. Gay (versus heterosexual) men reported lower perceived addictiveness, greater social norms and higher odds of current use. Lower perceived risks and greater social norms predicted greater use outcomes for women and men. Bisexual women displayed higher odds of several cannabis use outcomes, whereas lesbian women and gay men displayed higher odds of current cannabis use only. Cannabis-related perceptions and social norms may be important targets for public health messaging for SMYAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn F Romm
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Amy M Cohn
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Laura A Beebe
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Carla J Berg
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
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