Keywords

Substance Use Disorder; Sexual Identity; Race; Ethnicity; Family; Religion

Abstract

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) continue to be a significant public health concern as drug use reaches a worldwide high. Research has consistently shown that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are at a heightened risk of having an SUD than their heterosexual counterparts. While notable work has been done to understand the factors contributing to SUD among LGB populations, there is a substantial gap in research regarding the intersection of race/ethnicity and sexual identity. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the disparities in SUD among sexual minorities across different racial/ethnic and sex groups and the determinants that underlie these disparities. This research involves a statistical analysis of combined data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to explore prevalence rates and identify demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with disparities in SUD among sexual minority adults (ages 18 and older) in the United States, considering factors such as race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, religiosity, familism, and language. By understanding the prevalence and determinants of SUD within this population, healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocates can work together to develop prevention and intervention strategies to reduce these disparities and improve the overall well-being of LGB individuals in the United States.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Ford, Jason

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology Department

Thesis Discipline

Sociology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Included in

Sociology Commons

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