Introduction
Sexual orientation‒related disparities in alcohol use disorder are well-established.
Yet, the degree to which sexual orientation differences in alcohol use disorder vary
across the life course is poorly understood. There is also a limited understanding
of how exposure to minority stressors and their relationship with alcohol use disorder
vary as a function of age.
Methods
Using nationally representative data collected in 2012–2013, authors used sex-stratified
time-varying effect models to estimate age-specific prevalence rates of alcohol use
disorder among heterosexual and sexual minority adults aged 18–60 years (N=28,090).
Among sexual minority adults (n=1,050), authors also assessed age-specific associations between exposure to lesbian,
gay, and bisexual‒related discrimination and alcohol use disorder. Analyses were conducted
in 2019.
Results
Gay and bisexual male participants aged 18–45 years demonstrated the highest prevalence
rates of alcohol use disorder (e.g., >45% at age 25 years), whereas lesbian, gay,
and bisexual female participants were most likely to meet the criteria for alcohol
use disorder between ages 45 and 55 years. Sexual minority adults who experienced
discrimination in the past year had greater odds of alcohol use disorder between ages
23 and 34 years and again from ages 42 to 53 years; the association between discrimination
and alcohol use disorder was strongest among sexual minority men.
Conclusions
Sexual orientation–related disparities in alcohol use disorder are dynamic across
the life course and point to critical times for screening and intervention. Developmental
perspectives of sexual minority health inequities demand focused research attention
as findings will help to identify strategies for promoting sexual minority health
at distinct points in the life course.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 23, 2020
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