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Sexuality Minority Status, Victimization, Mental Health, and Substance Use
Lauren E Wright1, Brenda Savage2, Stephen J Watts3
1Department of Sociology and Political Science, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|August 23, 2024
Summary
Sexual minority status is linked to increased victimization, mental health problems, and substance use, according to general strain theory (GST). Findings support GST but show race/ethnicity differences in these relationships.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Sexual minority status is associated with increased risks for victimization, mental health issues, and substance use.
- Existing research often lacks theoretical grounding and representative samples when examining these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the relationships between sexual minority status, victimization, mental health, and substance use.
- To evaluate these relationships through the lens of general strain theory (GST).
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health).
- Employed path modeling analysis with a large, nationally representative sample (N=14,121).
Main Results:
- The study largely supported general strain theory's predictions regarding the studied variables.
- Significant variations in these relationships were observed across different racial and ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings align with criminological theories, specifically general strain theory.
- Results highlight the complex interplay of minority stress, victimization, and health outcomes, with important racial/ethnic nuances.
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