Drinking Motives, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Attraction in Youth

J Sex Res. 2016;53(3):309-12. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2015.1020355. Epub 2015 Aug 25.

Abstract

Sexual minority youth were found to be more likely to drink alcohol during weekdays compared to heterosexual youth. Drinking during weekdays was associated with consuming alcohol as a coping strategy. Sexual minority youth also more frequently consumed alcohol to eliminate personal worries (coping) and to not be excluded by their peers (conformity). Sexual orientation-related alcohol problems should be addressed at an early stage. Such efforts are likely to be effective if insecurities and stress related to sexual orientation are addressed as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minority Groups / psychology*
  • Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data
  • Motivation
  • Netherlands
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexuality / psychology*
  • Social Conformity*
  • Young Adult