Are social supports always protective? A seven-city study on heavy drinking among sexual and gender minority young adults experiencing homelessness

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence 2024-09, Vol.262, p.111404, Article 111404
• Main Authors: Armstrong, Brandi N., Barman-Adhikari, Anamika, Shelton, Jama, Hsu, Hsun-Ta, Petering, Robin, Bender, Kimberly, Ferguson, Kristin M., Maria, Diane Santa, Narendorf, Sarah C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Cities; Female; Heavy drinking; Humans; Ill-Housed Persons - psychology; Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology; Sexual and gender minority; Social network; Social Support; United States - epidemiology; Young Adult; Young adults experiencing homelessness
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111404

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults are disproportionately impacted by homelessness and heavy drinking (i.e., having five or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours). Social support, in general, is protective in reducing individuals’ risk of heavy drinking. However, whether and how support from different sources may have different implications on heavy drinking among SGM young adults experiencing homelessness (SGM-YAEH) remains unclear. Informed by the risk amplification and abatement model (RAAM), this study examined the associations between support sources and heavy drinking among SGM-YAEH. A purposive sample of SGM-YAEH (N=425) recruited in homeless service agencies from seven major cities in the U.S. completed a self-administered computer-assisted anonymous survey. This survey covered heavy drinking behaviors and social network properties. Logistic regression models were conducted to identify social support sources associated with SGM-YAEH’s heavy drinking. Over 40 % of SGM-YAEH were involved in heavy drinking in the past 30 days. Receiving support from street-based peers (OR=1.9; 95 % CI=1.1, 3.2) and home-based peers (OR=1.7; 95 % CI=1.0, 2.8) were each positively associated with SGMYAEH heavy drinking risks. This study was not able to identify the protective role social supports may play in reducing SGM-YAEH’s heavy drinking. Furthermore, receiving support from network members was correlated with elevated heavy drinking risks among this population. As heavy drinking prevention programs develop interventions: they should use affirming and trauma approaches to promote protective social ties, as research points to its association in reducing alcohol use disparities among SGM-YAEH. •For SGM-YAEH, receiving social support from street and home-based peers is significantly associated with heavy drinking.•Over 40 % of SGM-YAEH had drank heavily in the past 30 days.•Further research is needed to explore which supportive ties are protective of SGM-YAEH’s heavy drinking.•Heavy drinking reduction programs should be tailored to SGM-YAEH distinctive needs, including affirmative and trauma informed approaches.