Prevalence and Patterns of Substance Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults Assigned Male at Birth and...

There is evidence of disparities in mental health and substance use disorders in the United States among sexual and gender minority young adults, yet the correlates are not well understood. This study examines the prevalence and patterns of substance use among sexual and gender minority men and investigates how substance use relates to depression and anxiety. Data were collected from a randomized clinical trial of the mLab App, a mobile health HIV testing intervention in the United States. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for demographic variables, was conducted to explore the associations between substance use and mental health outcomes. Findings show a high prevalence of substance use in this population, with alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco as the most used substances. Results indicate significant positive associations between alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use with depression, and between alcohol, cannabis, sedatives, and tobacco use with anxiety. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies and tailored interventions to address the unique challenges faced by sexual and gender minority men.