Queer Binge: Minority stress and high-risk alcohol use

It is all too easy to associate the excessive drinking habits of young people with the idea of a reckless, carefree youth. However, the short- and long-term health consequences of binge drinking are no laughing matter. 

Even more concerning is that, within the broad category of young people, some are proven to be at higher risk of engaging in these risky behaviours than others. 

A new study by the Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research (ACPPHR) has found a significant correlation between high-risk alcohol use and minority stress amongst sexual minority young people (SMYP), including gay, lesbian or bisexual young people. 

In particular, excessive alcohol consumption can become a coping response to the stressors related to minority identity.

Dr Daniel Demant, Lecturer in Public Health and lead researcher, explains that minority stress can arise from an array of individual, community and psychosocial factors. 

“Some young people have difficulties accepting their own identity or are rejected by their families and friends after coming out. Homophobic violence and discrimination also play a significant role,” he says.

Young people are already in a critical developmental period, and these additional stressors can result in frequent, harmful alcohol use as a way to cope.

Dr Daniel Demant
Lecturer in Public Health

Using data collected from over 1,500 participants, the research also found disparities in alcohol use that were related to different dimensions of minority stress, highlighting that the underlying reasons are more nuanced than previous research has suggested.

Dr Demant also noted that significant parts of the population sample displayed alcohol dependency symptoms, which include trying to cut down alcohol but failing, failed expectations, a daily urge to consume alcohol, as well as experiencing health, social, legal, or financial problems as a result of their alcohol consumption.

Ultimately though, the findings of this research highlight the need for comprehensive health promotion interventions that are specially aimed at SMYP subgroups. 

“It is really important to address this issue as young queer people are particularly vulnerable to high-risk alcohol consumption,” Dr Demant says.

“However, the solution to solve this and many other problems lies in fighting stigma and discrimination.”

Read the full article here: Queer binge: harmful alcohol use among sexual minority young people in Australia [opens external site]