Gender self-concept and hazardous drinking among sexual minority women: Results from the Chicago health and life experiences of women (CHLEW) study. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kidd, Jeremy D.; Everett, Bethany G.; Corbeil, Thomas; Shea, Eileen; Hughes, Tonda L.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 132(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Alcohol -- Gender -- Sexual minority -- Women -- Lesbian -- Bisexual; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Masculinity was associated with hazardous drinking among sexual minority women. This association was stronger for participant's masculinity as perceived by others. This association was not accounted for by differences in minority stress. There was no significant association between femininity and hazardous drinking. Abstract: Objective: Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) report substantially higher rates of hazardous drinking (HD) than heterosexual women. Yet, few studies have examined sub-group differences. In this study, we investigated the relationship between gender self-concept and HD among SMW. Research consistently shows a link between heavier drinking and masculinity. SMW are more likely than heterosexual women to be gender nonconforming, and masculinity among SMW is associated with increased minority stress, a key HD risk factor. Methods: We used Wave 3 data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study, a longitudinal study of SMW ( N = 598), which assessed participants' self-perceived levels of masculinity and femininity and their perception of how masculine/feminine others viewed them. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association between gender self-concept and past 12-month heavy episodic drinking (HED), drinking-related problems, and alcohol dependence. Results: Controlling for demographics and minority stress, greater masculinity (both self-perceived and perceptions by others) was associated with higher odds of HED and alcohol dependence. Masculinity as perceived by others was associated with higher odds of drinking-related problems. Neither femininity measure was associated with HD. Additionally, minority stress (i.e., discrimination, stigma, internalized stigma) did not account for the relationship between gender self-concept and HD. Conclusions/Importance: In this sample, masculinity, particularly SMW's beliefs that others viewed them as masculine, was associated with HD. This association was not attributable to differences in minority stress and may be related to differences in gendered drinking norms, which could be targeted in intervention studies.