|
|
|
|
|
Lorraine T. Midanik, PhD, School of Social Welfare, University of California at Berkeley, 120 Haviland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-7400, (510) 642-7974, LMidanik@berkeley.edu, Laurie A. Drabble, PhD, MSW, MPH, College of Social Work, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0257, and Karen Trocki, PhD, Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 2000 Hearst Avenue, Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709-2176.
This paper compares two ways of measuring self-reported sexual orientation with alcohol use and problem measures. Previous research has relied primarily on convenience samples. Studies based on national probability samples have used only a behavior measure as a proxy for sexual orientation. Utilizing data from the 2000 National Alcohol Survey, a national probability sample, sexual orientation was measured by both identity and behavior. Alcohol use was assessed by number of drinks in the last year, number of days drank 5 or more drinks in the last year, social consequences, dependence symptoms, and proportion who were DSM-IV alcohol dependent positive. The findings indicate that there is no consistent pattern of reports of alcohol use or alcohol related problems based on how sexual orientation is measured among men. However, use of behavior measures alone appears to underestimate alcohol-related consequences and dependence among lesbians. Furthermore, women who identify as heterosexual yet have same sex partners within the last five years report significantly greater volume of drinking than exclusively heterosexual women. These results underscore the importance of using both identity and behavior items to measure sexual orientation and where possible, to use both measures to assess alcohol use and alcohol-related problems by heterosexual-identified respondents who have same sex partners who may be at higher risk for heavier drinking and negative health outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Sexual Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.