Greta Kruse
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: WAGSFP
Research Mentor(s): Sydni Warner, MS and David Córdova, PhD
Research Mentor Institution/Department: School of Social Work
Presentation Date: Wednesday, August 4th
Session: Session 2 (4pm-4:50pm EDT)
Breakout Room: Room 2
Presenter: 4
Abstract
Sexual minority youth (SMY), defined as youth who are not heterosexual or cis gendered, disproportionately engage in alcohol use behaviors, namely binge drinking, current alcohol use, and younger age of first consumption. Despite these disparities, research focused on alcohol use behaviors among SMY is limited. Because alcohol consumption is linked to sexual and other risk behaviors, there is a critical need to expand on this body of research to inform the development of interventions to decrease alcohol use behaviors among SMY. The purpose of this study was to explore whether SMY are more likely to report binge drinking than sexual majority groups in Michigan. Participants were recruited from a youth-centered community organization located in Detroit, Michigan. Youth (n= 688) were assessed on sexual risk and substance use risk behaviors and attitudes. Descriptive analysis of binge drinking patterns among sexual minority individuals and sexual majority individuals were run using SPSS Statistical Software Program. T-tests were also performed to identify which youth are more likely to report binge drinking. Youth (n=) identified as 95.3% African American/Black descent, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino origin, and 14.5% as a sexual minority. The findings suggest that SMY were XX % more likely to report binge drinking than sexual majority individuals. The findings suggest that SMY report higher rates of binge drinking when compared to heterosexual counterparts. This indicates there may be an elevated need for alcohol risk reducing interventions among SMY populations. Furthermore, more research focused on this population and drinking behaviors may be warranted. The results of this study may be used to provide guidance on this research and interventions regarding binge drinking among SMY populations.
Authors: Greta Kruse, Jose Gonzalez-Rivera, Sydni Warner, MS, David Cordova, Ph.D
