(PS6-1) A Longitudinal Investigation of Minority Stress, Community Connectedness, and Alcohol Use and Problems Among Sexual and Gender Minority People

Abstract Text: Sexual minority and gender minority (SGM) people face a heightened risk for alcohol use and alcohol use disorder relative to cisgender and heterosexual people (Meads et al., 2023). An adaptation of the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003) posits that SGM people experience distal and proximal stressors related to their stigmatized identity which increase their risk for adverse health outcomes, including problematic alcohol use (Cardona et al., 2022; Hendricks & Testa, 2012; Meyer, 2003). However, stress-ameliorating factors, such as different types of social supports, may be protective against alcohol use among SGM people. Community connectedness is hypothesized to moderate the association between minority stressors and deleterious health outcomes (Kaniuka et al., 2019; Meyer, 2015), such that higher levels of community connectedness may buffer the effects of minority stress on alcohol use. While previous literature has provided valuable insights into the role of SGM community connectedness, most studies have used cross-sectional designs. No prior research has examined the longitudinal associations between minority stress, SGM community connectedness, and alcohol use and problems among young adults. The present study examined the moderating role of SGM community connectedness in the relationship between minority stress and alcohol use and problems over 5 months among SGM young adults.

SGM people in a current intimate relationship (N=343; age 18-25) who reported drinking in the past month completed a baseline assessment and follow-up surveys as part of a larger study. Most participants identified as cisgender women (58.7%) and bisexual (39.8%), with a diverse range of gender and sexual identities represented. The baseline assessment and follow-up surveys included measures of minority stress (Heterosexist, Harassment, Rejection, and Discrimination Scale; Szymanski, 2006), community connectedness (LGBT Community Connectedness; Frost & Meyer, 2012), and alcohol use and problems (The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test; Babor et al., 2001).

A series of linear regression models demonstrated a significant autoregressive effect, such that alcohol use at baseline was positively associated with alcohol use five months later (β = 0.59, p < .001). Minority stress at baseline was also significantly and positively associated with subsequent alcohol use (β = 0.06, p = .006). Additionally, the interaction of minority stress and community connectedness was significantly associated with alcohol use at the 5-month follow-up (β = -0.01, p = .032). The relationship between baseline minority stress and alcohol use five months later was strengthened at low levels of baseline community connectedness (β = 0.114, p < .001).

Consistent with cross-sectional research, results suggest that minority stress is a risk factor for alcohol use and problems among SGM people. In addition, the relationship between minority stress and alcohol use varies as a function of community connectedness. Future research should consider examining drinking intentions to better understand whether alcohol use is being used to self-medicate the adverse effects of minority stress (Khantzian, 1997).