Work

Sexual Orientation Disparities in Substance Misuse: The Role of Childhood Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence Among Patients in Care at an Urban Community Health Center

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined disparities in lifetime substance misuse by sexual orientation among 2,653 patients engaged in care at an urban community health center in Boston, MA, as well as the potential mediating roles of childhood abuse <age 15 (CA) and intimate partner violence (IPV). Violence indicators were highly associated with substance misuse, as was identifying as a sexual minority compared to heterosexual. CA and IPV experiences partly explained disparities in substance abuse by sexual orientation with differences seen by sex. Clinicians should assess history of CA and IPV among sexual minorities presenting with a history of substance abuse disorders. The study's limitations are noted.

Source: Substance Use & Misuse

DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2012.755702

Authors: Sari L Reisner, Kathryn L Falb, Aimee Van Wagenen, Chris Grasso, Judith Bradford

Institutions: Harvard University, Fenway Health, Yale University

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development