The Moderating Effect of PTSD Symptoms on Associations between Minority Stressors and Alcohol Use and Related Problems in Sexual Minority Young Adults.

Alcohol use and related problems may be prevalent among sexual minority young adults. Several sexual minority individuals endure minority stressors as well as disproportionate trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms compared to their heterosexual counterparts. We tested whether PTSD symptoms moderated the associations between minority stressors (heterosexist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, identity concealment, and identity disclosure) and alcohol use and related problems among 342 sexual minority young adults. PTSD symptoms strengthened the association between identity concealment and PTSD symptoms. Additionally, PTSD symptoms associated with alcohol use and internalized heterosexism associated with alcohol use. These findings may inform tailored alcohol misuse interventions for sexual minority young adults.