Experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances and School-Based Victimization Show Limited Differences in Alcohol Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

Sexually and gender-minoritized (SGM) adolescents report higher rates of alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking than their heterosexual, cisgender peers. School-based victimization is a known risk factor, but less research considers protective school factors such as experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs). The present study takes a person-centered approach to examine how experiences in GSAs and with school-based victimization relate to alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking among SGM members.

METHOD: Data stem from a study on members' GSA experiences (N = 469; M age = 15.57, SD = 1.35). We focused on support/socializing, advocacy, and information/resources in GSAs and school-based victimization. We conducted latent profile analyses to examine different patterns in GSA experiences and victimization. Then, we assessed the association between profile membership and alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking in a logistic regression.

RESULTS

A 4-profile solution best fit the data. Profiles were characterized as broadly engaged GSA members and lower levels of victimization (n = 247; 52.7%); principally support/socializing GSA members and lower levels of victimization (n = 164; 35.0%); less engaged GSA members and lower levels of victimization (n = 37; 7.9%); and broadly engaged GSA members who are highly victimized (n = 58; 12.4%). No differences in alcohol use or heavy episodic drinking were found.

CONCLUSIONS

This study was the first to explore the association between GSA experiences and victimization with alcohol use and documented differing profiles of experiences. GSAs can play a potential role in fostering healthy coping and supporting discussions around substance use.