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Grant R, Power J, Mooney-Somers J, Pennay A, McNair R, Bourne A. 'All the dykes I know drink beer': Sexuality and gender performance through alcohol consumption among lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in Australia. Soc Sci Med 2024; 361:117358. [PMID: 39326187 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between gender, sexuality and alcohol consumption among lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women in Australia. On average, LBQ women consume alcohol at a higher rate than heterosexual women, yet the use of alcohol and its gendered meanings in this population remain under-explored. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 cisgender women, 10 transgender women, and 8 non-binary people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, and/or queer. Participants were aged 18-72. Interviews explored participants' experiences with alcohol, gender, and sexuality. Interviews were thematically analysed, informed by a critical alcohol and other drug scholarship lens. While 'minority stress' is often cited as a key factor in explaining LBQ women's high rates of alcohol consumption, our findings suggest a more complex relationship between drinking, gender and sexuality. Drinking is gendered for LBQ women, enabling both performance of and resistance to gendered norms. Additionally, alcohol emerged as a tool for navigating gendered vulnerability in public spaces, with some participants shaping their alcohol intake to their environment. Our findings highlight the need for approaches to LBQ women's health that recognise alcohol as a social tool that can facilitate confidence, pleasure, and community connection. Rather than focusing solely on risk and vulnerability, policies and health promotion efforts should consider the diverse ways in which LBQ women use alcohol to navigate their identities and social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Grant
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Power
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Amy Pennay
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ruth McNair
- Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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2
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McIntyre CL, Goulter N, Moretti MM. Maltreatment and Parent-Child Attachment as Predictors of Dating Violence and Risky Sexual Behaviour Among High-Risk Teens. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT TRAUMA 2024; 17:751-765. [PMID: 39309341 PMCID: PMC11413304 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-024-00626-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
A history of maltreatment can increase risk for dating violence (DV) and risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among adolescents. Secure parent-child attachment may reduce this risk, yet few studies have examined this as a protective factor. This study differentiated developmentally appropriate, exploratory sexual behaviours from RSB and examined whether maltreatment experiences and parent-child attachment in adolescence predicted DV and RSB reported five years later in a high-risk sample. Participants were 179 adolescents (46% girls; M age = 15.34, range = 12-18 years) at risk for aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Adolescents reported their maltreatment histories and attachment to their parents at Time 1; five years later, at Time 2, they reported their experiences with DV perpetration and victimization and engagement in RSB. Both bivariate correlations and structural analyses demonstrated that maltreatment was associated with DV perpetration and victimization but not RSB, and attachment avoidance was associated with fewer RSB but not DV. Attachment anxiety was associated with physical DV perpetration and greater condom use, but only at the correlational level; attachment anxiety was not associated with DV or RSB in the structural model. There were no significant interaction effects. Findings highlight the importance of considering key developmental factors such as maltreatment and parent-child attachment in understanding adolescent risk for DV and RSB, and may inform future research that accounts for contextual factors such as motivation for violence perpetration and contraceptive use with multiple and/or casual sex partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia L. McIntyre
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Natalie Goulter
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Adelaide, SA 5042 Australia
| | - Marlene M. Moretti
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
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Valik A, Lunde C, Skoog T, Gattario KH. Peer sexual harassment among 10-year-olds: Roles, genders, classroom occurrence, and associations with emotional problems. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2024; 34:584-598. [PMID: 38345105 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
This is the first study examining peer sexual harassment among 10-year-olds (N = 985), studying how being a victim, perpetrator, or witness relates to emotional problems, and how these associations are moderated by gender and class occurrence of sexual harassment. Results showed that 45% of the participants reported victimization, 17% perpetration, and 60% witnessing sexual harassment, with vast overlaps between roles. Victimization and witnessing were related to more emotional problems. Victimized girls reported more emotional problems than boys, but girls who perpetrated reported fewer emotional problems than boys. Associations between peer sexual harassment and emotional problems varied across classrooms. Our findings highlight the occurrence of peer sexual harassment in younger ages, emphasizing an ecological perspective when addressing it in school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Valik
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carolina Lunde
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Therése Skoog
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Canan SN, Denniston-Lee J, Jozkowski KN. Descriptive Data of Transgender and Nonbinary People's Experiences of Sexual Assault: Context, Perpetrator Characteristics, and Reporting Behaviors. LGBT Health 2024; 11:317-325. [PMID: 38100176 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Nearly half of transgender and nonbinary (trans/NB) people will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Beyond prevalence, little else is known about the general context in which sexual assault occurs in this community. In addition, whether and to whom trans/NB people report these experiences is also not well understood. As such, we examined these contextual factors regarding trans/NB people's sexual assault experiences. Methods: Using a cross-sectional online survey, we assessed sexual assault prevalence rates, contextual details, and reporting behaviors in a sample of 230 trans/NB adults in the United States. Data were gathered in 2016 and 2017 across two collections. Results: Eighty percent of the sample had experienced sexual assault; 62% reported experiencing completed penetrative behaviors (rape) and 37% reported repeat victimization-assault during both childhood and adulthood. Most participants indicated that their perpetrator was male (80%) and the plurality described perpetrators as dating partners (34%) or acquaintances (34%). Alcohol was involved in 26% of assaults. Approximately 8% characterized the event as a hate crime. Most trans/NB people reported their experience to a friend (64%), dating partner (50%), and/or therapist (35%). Only 6% reported their sexual assault to the police, and 20% stated that they have never told anyone. Conclusion: With the exception of substantially higher prevalence rates, many of our findings are similar to findings in the broader, typically cis-centric, sexual assault literature. We recommend that prevention and support services address both the high rates of sexual assault and the low rates of reporting to police and other support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha N Canan
- Public Health Program, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
- Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
- College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Jesse Denniston-Lee
- Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
- School of Social Work, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kristen N Jozkowski
- College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
- School of Public Health, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Ford JV, Shefner R. A Need for More Research: How to Understand Elevated Rates of Sexual Assault Among Bisexual College Women. VIOLENCE AND GENDER 2023; 10:119-127. [PMID: 37767529 PMCID: PMC10521136 DOI: 10.1089/vio.2022.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Bisexual college women exhibit some of the highest rates of sexual assault among all college students. Existing research relies on sexual orientation-related stigma as an explanation for these disparities. In this study, we use data from the Online College Social Life Survey (OCSLS) to explore factors that elevate the risk of sexual assault for bisexual college women compared to heterosexual women. Results show that bisexual women exhibit higher rates of sexual assault since the beginning of college for all types of sexual assault, compared to heterosexual women. We find that perceived sexual disrespect, sexual interactions with men, alcohol use, earlier sexual debut, and multiple ongoing partnerships are associated with a higher risk of sexual assault for both bisexual and heterosexual women. Compared to heterosexual women, bisexual women exhibited higher odds of experiencing sexual assault across the majority of risk factors. We envision this study as a preliminary exploration that can inform ongoing work examining which bisexual women are at the highest risk for sexual assault. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie V. Ford
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruth Shefner
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Cotaina M, Peraire M, Boscá M, Echeverria I, Benito A, Haro G. Substance Use in the Transgender Population: A Meta-Analysis. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030366. [PMID: 35326322 PMCID: PMC8945921 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between identifying as transgender and substance use. (2) Methods: We searched for relevant studies in PubMed, Scopus, the Web of Science, and PsycINFO on 21 July 2021. (3) Results: Twenty studies comparing transgender and cisgender people were included in this work, accounting for a total of 2,376,951 participants (18,329 of whom were transgender). These articles included data on current tobacco use, current tobacco use disorder, current alcohol use, current alcohol use disorder, lifetime substance (all) use, current substance use (excluding tobacco and alcohol), current use of specific substances (excluding tobacco and alcohol and including cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy, stimulants, heroin, opiates, cannabis, marijuana, LSD, hallucinogens, steroids, inhalants, sedatives, Ritalin or Adderall, diet pills, cold medicine, prescription medications, polysubstance, other club drugs, and other illegal drugs), and current substance use disorder (excluding tobacco and alcohol). We used the ORs and their 95% CIs to state the association between identifying as transgender and those variables. The control reference category used in all cases was cisgender. We employed a random-effects model. Transgender people were more likely to use tobacco (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65; 95% CI [1.37, 1.98]), have used substances throughout their lives (OR = 1.48; 95% CI [1.30, 1.68]), and present current use of specific substances (OR = 1.79; 95% CI [1.54, 2.07]). When current alcohol and substance use in general and tobacco, alcohol, and substance use disorders specifically were considered, the likelihood did not differ from that of cisgender people. (4) Conclusions: The presence of substance use disorders did not differ between transgender and cisgender people. Considering this population as consumers or as addicted may be a prejudice that perpetuates stigma. Nonetheless, transgender people were more likely to use tobacco and other substances, but not alcohol. Hypothetically, this might be an emotional regulation strategy, a maladaptive mechanism for coping with traumatic experiences, or could respond to minority stress, produced by stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. It is of particular importance to implement policies against discrimination and stigmatisation and to adapt prevention and treatment services so that they are inclusive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cotaina
- TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain; (M.C.); (M.P.); (I.E.); (G.H.)
- Department of Mental Health, Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, 12002 Castellon de la plana, Spain;
| | - Marc Peraire
- TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain; (M.C.); (M.P.); (I.E.); (G.H.)
- Department of Mental Health, Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, 12002 Castellon de la plana, Spain;
| | - Mireia Boscá
- Department of Mental Health, Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, 12002 Castellon de la plana, Spain;
| | - Iván Echeverria
- TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain; (M.C.); (M.P.); (I.E.); (G.H.)
- Department of Mental Health, Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, 12002 Castellon de la plana, Spain;
| | - Ana Benito
- TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain; (M.C.); (M.P.); (I.E.); (G.H.)
- Torrente Mental Health Unit, Hospital General de Valencia, 46900 Torrente, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gonzalo Haro
- TXP Research Group, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 12006 Castellon de la plana, Spain; (M.C.); (M.P.); (I.E.); (G.H.)
- Department of Mental Health, Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellón, 12002 Castellon de la plana, Spain;
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AshaRani PV, Karuvetil MZ, Brian TYW, Satghare P, Roystonn K, Peizhi W, Cetty L, Zainuldin NA, Subramaniam M. Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Comorbidities in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): a Pilot Study in Treatment-Seeking Population. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022; 21:1-18. [PMID: 35095353 PMCID: PMC8783789 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-021-00734-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to understand the prevalence of physical comorbidities, undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions and correlates of high cholesterol, hypertension and liver enzyme abnormalities in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants (n = 101) with AUD were recruited from a tertiary care centre through convenient sampling. The prevalence of physical and psychiatric comorbidities in the sample was 83.17% and 51.49%, respectively. Around 53.47% had two or more chronic physical conditions (multimorbidity). Hypertension (44.55%), asthma (23.76%), high cholesterol (22.77%) and liver enzyme abnormalities (21.78%) were the top four physical comorbidities. The prevalence of undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions was 61.4% and 32.7%, respectively. Gender, education and body mass index (BMI) were associated with hyperlipidaemia while age and education were associated with hypertension. Higher waist-hip ratio was associated with liver enzyme abnormalities. Routine clinical care must include regular screening and follow-up of the risk groups to monitor their physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. V. AshaRani
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Mohamed Zakir Karuvetil
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Tan Yeow Wee Brian
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Pratika Satghare
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Kumarasan Roystonn
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Wang Peizhi
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Laxman Cetty
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Noor Azizah Zainuldin
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
| | - Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747 Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117549 Singapore
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Hinds Z, Herbitter C, Bryant WT, Newberger NG, Livingston NA. Hazardous Substance Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults: A Deeper Look into Distal Minority Stressors. PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER DIVERSITY 2022; 10:10.1037/sgd0000583. [PMID: 37885566 PMCID: PMC10601395 DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000583] [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] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Discrimination and victimization drive health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, yet little is known about the relative impacts of specific experience types on hazardous substance use. Using data from 704 SGM adults, we examined SGM-related discrimination vs. victimization and specific experiences as predictors of hazardous substance use. SGM-related victimization, not discrimination, predicted hazardous substance use, and SGM-related sexual assault and harassment predicted hazardous alcohol use, although only sexual assault predicted hazardous drug use. These findings implicate lifetime SGM-related victimization, and SGM-related sexual assault and harassment specifically, as key correlates of recent hazardous substance use among SGM adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zig Hinds
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cara Herbitter
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William T. Bryant
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Noam G. Newberger
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Livingston
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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