LGBTQ+ POC MINORITY STRESS, MINORITY STRENGTHS, AND ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Author

Satveer Kler, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

6-1-2021

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Chwalisz, Kathleen

Abstract

Researchers have documented the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among various populations. For example, researchers have argued that those who are sexual minorities, gender minorities, or racial or ethnic minorities may be disproportionately affected by alcohol use disorder. Furthermore, researchers have explored minority stress-related factors and minority strengths-related factors as predictors of alcohol use disorder among these populations. However, researchers in few studies have described the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among LGBTQ+ People of Color who may have sexual minority, gender minority, and racial or ethnic minority identities. The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (1) to address existing literature gaps by documenting prevalence of alcohol use disorder among LGBTQ+ People of Color, and (2) to explore whether minority-stress and minority-strengths factors predicted alcohol use via an intersectional framework. I recruited a sample of 267 LGBTQ+ POC and had individuals fill out the following measures: LGBT-POC Microaggression Scale, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Collective Identity Self-Esteem Scale, and a Likert-type measure of LGBTQ+ POC Community Connectedness designed for this study. I conducted a hierarchical logistic regression analysis to determine whether LGBTQ+ POC minority stress and LGBTQ+ POC minority strengths predicted alcohol use. Neither LGBTQ+ POC minority stress nor the LGBTQ+ POC minority strengths variables were significant predictors in the current study. The findings from this study may help describe the specific social context for alcohol use among LGBTQ+ People of Color which would assist researchers and practitioners with their knowledge of how alcohol use affects LGBTQ+ People of Color.