Work

Rural-urban Residence, Minority Stress, and Tobacco Use among Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults in Oklahoma and Surrounding States

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Sexual and/or gender minority young adults (SGM YAs) display high tobacco use rates but less is known regarding disparities among those residing in rural vs. urban areas. METHODS: Among 609 U.S. SGM YAs (ages 18-25) who completed 2023/2024 surveys, multivariable regressions examined associations of: 1) rurality (vs. urbanicity) with minority stressors (negative behaviors from parents, discrimination, less peer support and SGM community connectedness); and 2) rurality and minority stressors with tobacco use for those assigned female (AFAB) or male (AMAB) at birth, separately. RESULTS: Among SGM YAs AFAB, rurality predicted greater minority stress (negative parenting, discrimination, less SGM community connectedness). Rurality and minority stressors predicted past-month e-cigarette use, polytobacco use, and nicotine dependence. Among those AMAB, rurality predicted greater nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insights into intervention targets for tobacco use among SGM YAs AFAB residing in rural areas with less SGM community connectedness (i.e., acceptance and resources).

Source: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2025.a967341