A new study in Addictive Behaviors Reports applied an intersectional lens to explore the impact of discrimination on same day drinking patterns among sexual minority populations and uncovered significant differences between groups shaped by intersecting identities such as race, sex, and sexual orientation.
The research team conducted a daily diary survey with self-identified sexual minorities, defined as individuals whose sexual identity differed from the majority orientation of people (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, or otherwise). Participants recorded their experiences with discrimination and alcohol consumption, allowing researchers to capture same day associations. Researchers also explored Minority Strengths — positive experiences tied to one’s identity — as a potential factor in moderating the relationship between discrimination and same-day alcohol consumption.
The study revealed several key findings on how discrimination impacts alcohol consumption among sexual minority populations:
- Men consumed 53% more alcohol on days they experienced discrimination compared to women and transgender/non-binary participants.
- Individuals who identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and persons of color) consumed 56% more alcohol on days they faced discrimination than their White counterparts.
- BIPOC men consumed 88% fewer drinks per day on days they experienced discrimination compared to BIPOC women and transgender/non-binary participants.
- Minority Strengths had no impact on these relationships.
“Our findings show that discrimination affects sexual minority people in complex and deeply personal ways, shaped by the intersections of race, sex, and other identities i, including how much alcohol they consume,” said Anthony Surace, lead author and ARG associate scientist. “This research underscores the need to understand that health risks in marginalized communities are not one-size-fits-all but are profoundly influenced by the unique interplay of the social identities people carry.”
Anthony Surace, PhD
Researchers emphasized the importance of culturally responsive public health strategies tailored to the needs of sexual minority people.
“These results highlight the need for public health interventions that address the specific experiences of LGBTQ+ populations, particularly BIPOC individuals and those with intersecting marginalized identities,” said Surace. “Future research should explore how discrimination impacts in diverse contexts to more effectively reduce health disparities.”
Read the full study: A. Surace, D. Operario, C.W. Kahler (2024). The association between discrimination and drinking among sexual minorities: A daily diary study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100554
Support for this paper was provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) under Award numbers T32AA007240 (Graduate Research Training in Alcohol Problems: Alcohol-related Disparities) and AA019072 (Kahler). The content of this report is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official view of NIAAA or NIH.
