Minority Stress, Psychological Distress, Sexual Compulsivity, and Avoidance-Based Motivations Associated with Methamphetamine Use Among Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV: Examining Direct and Indirect Associations Using Cross-Sectional Structural Equation Modeling.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV report significantly greater methamphetamine use compared with heterosexual and HIV-negative peers. Greater use may be related to stressors (e.g., HIV-related stigma) faced by SMM living with HIV and subsequent psychological and behavioral sequelae. We tested an integrated theoretical model comprised of pathways between stigma, discrimination, childhood sexual abuse, psychological distress, sexual compulsivity, and cognitive escape in predicting methamphetamine use among SMM living with HIV. METHODS: Among 423 SMM living with HIV, we tested a structural equation model examining factors hypothesized to be directly and indirectly associated with methamphetamine use. Analyses were adjusted for demographic covariates and sampling bias. RESULTS: The model showed good fit (CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.01). Heterosexist discrimination was associated with psychological distress (ß = 0.39, p < 0.001) and psychological distress was associated with sexual compulsivity (ß = 0.33, p < 0.001). Sexual compulsivity was associated with cognitive escape (ß = 0.31, p < 0.001), which was associated with methamphetamine use (ß = 0.51, p < 0.001). Psychological distress was associated with methamphetamine use via serial indirect effects of sexual compulsivity and cognitive escape (ß = 0.05, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heterosexist discrimination contributed to psychological distress among SMM living with HIV. Psychological distress is linked to methamphetamine use via sexual compulsivity and cognitive avoidance. Interventions seeking to reduce the likelihood that SMM living with HIV use methamphetamine should include coping strategies specific to heterosexism and related psychological distress.

Co-occurring compulsive sexual behaviour in an inpatient substance use population: Clinical correlates and influence on treatment outcomes.

Background and Aims: Many individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) present with co-occurring mental health disorders and other addictions, including behavioral addictions (BAs). Though several studies have investigated the relationship between SUDs and BAs, less research has focused specifically on compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB). Given that poly-addiction can hinder treatment outcomes, it is necessary to better understand the impact of co-occurring CSB and SUD. Therefore, the current study aimed to 1) determine the rate of CSB in a sample seeking treatment for SUDs, 2) identify demographic and clinical correlates of co-occurring CSB, and 3) to determine if co-occurring CSB impacts treatment outcomes for SUD. Methods: Participants were 793 adults (71.1% men) ranging in age from 18-77 (M = 38.73) at an inpatient treatment facility for SUDs who were assessed for CSB upon admission into treatment. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires upon admission and at discharge to assess psychological and addiction symptoms. Results: Rates of CSB were 24%. Younger age and being single were associated with greater CSB. Mental distress and addiction symptoms were higher in participants with CSB. Predictors of CSB severity included greater symptoms of traumatic stress and interpersonal dysfunction. Rates of treatment completion were similar between participants with and without CSB. Discussion and Conclusions: These results highlight several clinical and demographic correlates of CSB amongst individuals in treatment for SUD. However, CSB was not associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Further identifying characteristics associated with CSB can help clinicians identify individuals who may be at higher risk.

The importance of community engagement in experimental stress and substance use research with marginalized groups: Lessons from research with sexual and gender minority populations.

There is a growing need for experimental stress paradigms tailored for use with marginalized groups to better understand the impact of experiencing minoritized stress on substance use outcome. Experimental stress research that examines the role of minority stress in substance use is not only innovative, but also has the potential to improve health equity. However, this research also has anticipated risks. As a result, community-engaged research (CEnR) is critical. CEnR can improve experimental stress and substance use research by engaging applicable communities in research design, recruitment, data interpretation, and dissemination. When conducting CEnR, there are also unique challenges and considerations that need to be taken into account. Recommendations are provided based on prior experiences in experimental stress induction and alcohol research with SGM (sexual and gender minority) groups.

Daily and Momentary Associations Between Gender Minority Stress and Resilience With Alcohol Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Minority stressors have been linked with alcohol use among transgender and gender diverse (TGD); however, no ecological momentary assessment studies have examined daily links between minority stress and alcohol use specifically among TGD. This study examined gender minority stressors and resilience as predictors of same-day or momentary alcohol-related outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability of procedures were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-five TGD adults (mean age = 32.60, SD = 10.82; 88% White) were recruited Canada-wide and participated remotely. They completed 21 days of ecological momentary assessment with daily morning and random surveys (assessing alcohol outcomes, risk processes, gender minority stressors, resilience), and an exit interview eliciting feedback. RESULTS: Gender minority stress had significant and positive within-person relationships with same-day alcohol use (incidence risk ratio (IRR) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.23]), alcohol-related harms (IRR = 1.14, 95% CI [1.02, 1.28]), and coping motives (IRR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.03, 1.08]), as well as momentary (past 30-min) alcohol craving (IRR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.18, 1.47]), coping motives (IRR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.21, 1.51]), and negative affect (IRR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.20, 1.36]). Gender minority stress indirectly predicted same-day drinking via coping motives (ab = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.08]). Resilience was positively associated with same-day alcohol use (IRR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.03, 1.51]) but not harms. CONCLUSIONS: TGD adults may use alcohol to cope with gender minority stress, which can increase the risk for alcohol-related harms. Interventions are needed to eliminate gender minority stressors and support adaptive coping strategies.

Many transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults experience discrimination and victimization related to their minoritized gender, referred to as minority stress. Minority stress may put TGD adults at risk of drinking more alcohol and experiencing related harms in order to cope. To examine this possibility, we recruited 25 TGD adults and asked them to complete surveys multiple times per day (i.e., once daily in the morning, and two additional surveys at random times) on their personal cell phones. Using multilevel models, we examined the relations between experiencing minority stressors as well as resilience factors on alcohol-related outcomes. In doing so, we identified that gender minority stress was related to increased alcohol use, alcohol-related harms, negative mood, and drinking to cope motives. Furthermore, it appeared that the increased alcohol use following minority stress could be partly explained by desiring to drink to cope. Resilience did not protect TGD adults from increased alcohol use or harms, and in some cases was related to increased alcohol use. The results support that TGD adults may use alcohol to cope with gender minority stress, which can increase the risk for alcohol-related harms. Interventions are needed to eliminate gender minority stressors and support healthier coping strategies.

Problematic alcohol use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada: the role of proximal stressors and anxiety.

BACKGROUND: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report high rates of problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and depression. This may, in part, be due to stressors related to their sexual identity (i.e., minority stressors). However, few studies have examined both distal and proximal stressors, as well as the specific psychological mechanisms by which these stressors may be related to alcohol use outcomes, in a representative sample of GBM. We explored the relationship between distal and proximal stressors and alcohol use outcomes, as well as the role of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of these relationships. METHODS: We analyzed the baseline data of 2,449 GBM from Engage, a cohort study of sexually active GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver from February 2017 to August 2019. Using structural equation modeling, we examined the associations between distal minority stressors (i.e., experiences of heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination), proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homonegativity, concerns about acceptance, concealment, and lack of affirmation), anxiety and depression, and alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. RDS-adjusted analyses controlled for age, income, sexual orientation, ethnicity, recruitment city, and HIV serostatus. RESULTS: There were positive direct associations between distal stress and proximal stress, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use outcomes. Proximal stress had a positive direct association with anxiety, depression, and alcohol use problems, but not alcohol consumption. Anxiety was positively associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol use problems. Depression was negatively associated with alcohol consumption but not alcohol use problems. Regarding indirect effects, distal stress was associated with alcohol use outcomes via proximal stress and anxiety, but not via depression. CONCLUSIONS: We found support for a minority stress model as it relates to alcohol use outcomes among GBM. Findings suggest that proximal minority stress and anxiety differentially impact the problematic alcohol use among GBM who experience heterosexist discrimination. Clinical providers should consider incorporating the treatment of proximal minority stressors and anxiety into existing alcohol interventions for GBM.

Cannabis cravings predict cigarette use in schizophrenia: a secondary analysis from two cannabis abstinence studies.

CLINICAL TRIAL NAME: Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Cannabis Use and Cognitive Outcomes in SchizophreniaURL: www.clinicaltrials.gov; Registration Number: NCT03189810.

The Moderating Role of Sexual Orientation in the Association Between Religiosity and Sexual Behaviors Among College Students.

Past research has shown that religiosity can impact sexual behaviors of college-aged youth in both positive and negative directions. As many world religions promote doctrines that include negative views toward sexual minorities, the current study aimed to examine the potentially differential ways religiosity is related to sexual behaviors across various sexual orientations. College/university students across Oregon (N = 1553) completed an online cross-sectional survey in which they provided information about their sexual orientation, levels of religiosity, religious affiliation, and endorsed recent sexual behavior outcomes. Using logistic models in PROCESS, sexual orientation was examined as a moderator of the relations between religiosity (assessed via the Centrality of Religiosity Scale; Huber & Huber) and religious affiliation and the occurrence (yes vs. no) of three sexual behaviors in the past 6 months: birth control use during sex, sexual activity under the influence of substances, and testing positive for an STI. Covariates were age and natal sex. Religiosity was related to reduced birth control use in heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Religiosity was not associated with sexual behaviors in bi/pansexual college students. Findings show that religiosity was a salient construct for understanding sexual behaviors in heterosexual and gay/lesbian college students, but not in bi/pansexual college students. Given that religiosity has differential effects for various sexual behaviors that can heighten risk of negative sexual health outcomes, recommendations are made for increased and tailored sexual health education to religiously identified college students.

Associations between Shyness and Victimization with Substance Use Outcomes in the National Comorbidity and Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys.

Background: There is a lack of consensus among researchers on the association between shyness and substance use. This may be due to unexamined modifiers of this association, such as childhood victimization. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine if experiencing different types of victimization (emotional, physical, sexual, and poly-victimization) modifies the association between shyness and substance use outcomes in adults. In this study, we performed moderation analyses to investigate whether victimization moderates the association between shyness and substance use/abuse. Data came from the National Comorbidity Survey Baseline (NCS-1; 1990-1992) and the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys (CPES; 2001-2003). Substance use outcomes included were binge drinking, tobacco use, other drug use, and DSM-III-R (NCS-1)/DSM-IV (CPES) classifications of alcohol and drug abuse. Results: Results from NCS-1 supported a moderating role of childhood victimization on the relationship between shyness and tobacco use only, specifically for emotional (p = .031) and physical (p < .001) victimization, and poly-victimization (p < .001). Results from CPES showed a moderating role of lifetime sexual abuse for binge drinking (p = .017), other drug use (p = .028), and alcohol abuse (p = .004). For both datasets, the associations between shyness and substance use outcomes were stronger when there were no victimization histories. Conclusion: These findings give insight on the complexity of the interaction between shyness and victimization. Future research could focus on mechanisms, such as cognitive processes, that may contribute to interactions between shyness and victimization history on substance outcomes.

An experimental laboratory-based minority stress paradigm for alcohol research among sexual minority women: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority women (SMW) use alcohol at higher rates and experience greater alcohol-related harms than their heterosexual counterparts. Evidence from observational studies suggests that minority stress (i.e., stress experienced due to marginalization in society) is an important risk factor among SMW, yet there is a lack of experimental evidence to establish a direct causal role of minority stress on alcohol use in this population. We adapted the preexisting personalized guided stress induction paradigm to conduct a pilot study of how minority stress is related to stress response (assessed via subjective measures and salivary cortisol) and mechanisms of alcohol use (craving, demand, and risky decision making) in SMW. METHODS: Using a within-subjects design (N = 8) cisgender SMW who endorsed high-risk drinking (≥1 heavy drinking episode in the past 30 days) completed three study visits: a script development session and two in-person imagery induction appointments (minority stress and neutral). Analyses examined feasibility and acceptability, stress response, and mechanisms of alcohol use. RESULTS: The paradigm significantly increased subjective stress response (g = 1.32). Data supported the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the paradigm for use with SMW. While the paradigm did not significantly change scores on minority stress and alcohol outcomes measures, effect sizes for craving and minority stress outcomes were in the small-to-medium range (gs = 0.24-0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The adapted minority stress paradigm appears to be feasible and appropriate for use with SMW to induce stress in laboratory settings. Future research can use this paradigm to understand the causal effects of minority stress on alcohol use and related outcomes.

Substance use prevalence, patterns, and correlates in transgender and gender diverse youth: A scoping review.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults are at elevated risk of problematic substance use. While understanding substance use disparities in TGD youth is crucial for informing early preventions, there is no known synthesis of prevalence and correlates of substance use in TGD youth. The objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the prevalence and patterns of substance use in TGD youth, 2) identify and evaluate potential correlates of substance use, and 3) report the strengths and limitations of the current literature in recommendation of future steps. A PRISMA-guided systematic search was conducted to identify 55 studies that reported prevalence, patterns, or correlates of substance use in TGD youth aged 10-24 years; were published in the English language; and followed a quantitative design. Fifty-four (98.18%) studies examined prevalence and patterns, 23 (41.82%) examined correlates, and 12 (21.82%) examined moderators and mediators of substance use in TGD youth. Findings suggest TGD youth exhibit a moderate-to-high prevalence of recent substance use, including alcohol (23-31%), binge drinking (11-59%), cigarettes (10-59%), e-cigarettes (17-27%), and marijuana (17-46%). Additionally, results supported that greater victimization experiences, including those related and unrelated to being a gender minority, were associated with increased substance use risk. Few studies examined polysubstance use, resilience, and protective factors, or considered TGD subgroup differences, which we recommend in future research. Further, we recommend improving population-based surveys to better capture gender identity and related experiences.

A narrative systematic review of the gender inclusivity of measures of harmful drinking and their psychometric properties among transgender adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Experiencing higher rates of stigma, marginalization and discrimination puts transgender individuals at risk for alcohol use and associated harms. Measures of harmful drinking were designed with cisgender people in mind, and some rely on sex- and gender-based cut-offs. The applicability of these measures for gender diverse samples remains unknown. The present study had two aims: (i) identify gender-non-inclusive language and cut-offs in measures of harmful drinking, and (ii) systematically review research reporting psychometric properties of these measures in transgender individuals. METHODS: We reviewed 22 measures of harmful drinking for gendered language and sex- and gender-based cut-off values and provided suggestions for revision when warranted. We also conducted a systematic narrative review, including eight eligible studies, summarizing the psychometric properties of measures of harmful drinking in transgender populations. RESULTS: Six of 22 measures of harmful drinking were not gender inclusive, because of gendered language in the measure itself or use of sex- or gender-based cut-off scores. Only eight published studies reported psychometric data for these measures in transgender people. Apart from in one study, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) appear reliable for transgender adults (Cronbach's α: AUDIT [0.81-0.87] and AUDIT [0.72-0.8)]). There is initial support for using uniform cut-offs for transgender people for the AUDIT-C (≥3) and binge drinking (≥5 drinks in a sitting). CONCLUSIONS: Most existing measures of harmful drinking appear to be gender inclusive (containing gender neutral language and uniform cut-off scores across sex and gender groups) and some that are not easily adapted to be gender inclusive.

Immediate Switching to Reduced Nicotine Cigarettes in a U.S.-Based Sample: The Impact on Cannabis Use and Related Variables at 20 Weeks.

INTRODUCTION: The FDA proposed rule-making to reduce nicotine in cigarettes to minimally addictive levels. Research suggests decreasing nicotine levels (i.e. very low nicotine content cigarettes [VLNCs]) produced greater quit attempts, reduced smoking, and reduced exposure to harmful constituents among smokers. The impact of long-term VLNC use among people who co-use cigarettes and cannabis on non-tobacco-specific toxicant and carcinogen exposure has not been investigated. AIMS AND METHODS: This study presents secondary analyses of a controlled clinical trial examining switching to VLNC (versus a normal nicotine cigarettes control group [NNCs]) between people who co-use cigarettes and cannabis (n = 174) versus smoked cigarettes (n = 555). Linear mixed-effects models compared changes in smoking behavior, and tobacco-specific (i.e. total nicotine equivalents [TNE], 4-[methylnitrosamino]-1-[3-pyridyl]-1-butanone [NNK; total NNAL]) and non-tobacco-specific (i.e. carbon monoxide (CO), 2-cyanoethylmercapturic acid [CEMA], phenanthrene tetraol [PheT]) toxicant and carcinogen exposure at week 20 (with random intercept for participants). Cannabis use was measured among co-use groups. RESULTS: CO was significantly lower only among the cigarette-only group assigned VLNCs (interaction: p = .015). Although both VLNC groups demonstrated decreased CEMA, greater decreases emerged among the cigarette-only group (interaction: p = .016). No significant interactions emerged for TNE, cigarettes per day (CPD), NNAL, and PheT (ps > .05); both VLNC groups decreased in TNE, CPD, and NNAL. Only the cigarette-only group assigned VLNCs demonstrated decreased PheT (p < .001). The VLNC co-use group showed increased cannabis use over time (p = .012; 0.5 more days per week by week 20). CONCLUSIONS: Those who co-use cannabis and cigarettes may still be at risk for greater exposure to non-tobacco-specific toxicants and carcinogens compared to those who only smoke cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: The present study is the longest longitudinal, prospective comparison study of smoking behavior and exposure to harmful constituents among those who co-use cigarettes and cannabis versus cigarette-only after immediately switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNC). Those who co-use experienced similar reductions in CPD and tobacco-specific exposure, compared to those who only use cigarettes. However, co-use groups experienced smaller reductions in non-tobacco-specific toxicants and carcinogens compared to the cigarette-only group, potentially because of combustible cannabis use. Additionally, those who co-use and switched to VLNC may be susceptible to slight increases in cannabis use (approximately two more days per year).

Heavy drinking and drinking harms for cisgender and transgender college students.

Objective: We examined alcohol use and harms, and their interrelations among cisgender and transgender college students. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis using a U.S. sample of 4-year-college students (n = 242,624; Mage = 20.24, SD = 1.67; 12.31% Hispanic/Latinx and 62.11% non-Hispanic/Latinx White, 3.99% Black, 11.88% Asian or Pacific Islander,0.37% American Indian, Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian, 9.35% Multiracial/ethnic/other). These outcomes were compared between cisgender women (68.53%) and cisgender men (29.27%), transgender men (0.91%), transgender women (0.23%), and nonbinary students (1.06%): level (number of drinks) of recent alcohol use, frequency of binge drinking (≥ 5 drinks) in the past 2 weeks, and occurrence and count of harms while drinking in the past year. Gender differences in the association between drinking level and consequences were also examined. Results: Cisgender women were the reference group for all of the comparisons. Cisgender men reported less occurrence of regret, sex without their consent, and unprotected sex when drinking, but the greater occurrence of injury and trouble with the police. Transgender women and nonbinary individuals reported lower odds of regret and unprotected sex when drinking. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals reported increased odds of sex without their consent when drinking. All transgender subgroups reported increased odds of suicidal ideation when drinking. Finally, associations between the level of recent drinking and odds of experiencing harms differed by gender identity. Conclusions: Patterns of alcohol use, consequences, and their interrelationship differed for cisgender men, transgender women and men, and nonbinary individuals relative to cisgender women. There is a need for gender-inclusive prevention for alcohol harms among students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Mental Health Concerns in Tobacco Use Disorder Treatment Research: Measurement Challenges and Recommendations From a Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Pre-conference Workshop.

This paper reports on topics discussed at a Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco pre-conference workshop at the 2019 annual Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco meeting. The goal of the pre-conference workshop was to help develop a shared understanding of the importance of several tobacco-related priority groups in tobacco use disorder (TUD) treatment research and to highlight challenges in measurement related to these groups. The workshop focused on persons with minoritized sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation identities; persons with minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds; persons with lower socioeconomic status (SES); and persons with mental health concerns. In addition to experiencing commercial tobacco-related health disparities, these groups are also underrepresented in tobacco research, including TUD treatment studies. Importantly, there is wide variation in how and whether researchers are identifying variation within these priority groups. Best practices for measuring and reporting sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, SES, and mental health concerns in TUD treatment research are needed. This paper provides information about measurement challenges when including these groups in TUD treatment research and specific recommendations about how to measure these groups and assess potential disparities in outcomes. The goal of this paper is to encourage TUD treatment researchers to use measurement best practices in these priority groups in an effort to conduct meaningful and equity-promoting research. Increasing the inclusion and visibility of these groups in TUD treatment research will help to move the field forward in decreasing tobacco-related health disparities. Implications: Tobacco-related disparities exist for a number of priority groups including, among others, women, individuals with minoritized sexual and gender identities, individuals with minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds, individuals with lower SES, and individuals with mental health concerns. Research on TUD treatments for many of these subgroups is lacking. Accurate assessment and consideration of these subgroups will provide needed information about efficacious and effective TUD treatments, about potential mediators and moderators, and for accurately describing study samples, all critical elements for reducing tobacco-related disparities, and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in TUD treatment research.

Impact of nicotine reduction in cigarettes on smoking behavior and exposure: Are there differences by race/ethnicity, educational attainment, or gender?

BACKGROUND: Lowering nicotine in cigarettes may reduce smoking prevalences; however, it is not known whether an immediate or gradual reduction in nicotine is the optimal approach for all population groups. OBJECTIVES: We examined whether the optimal approach to nicotine reduction depended on the education, gender, or race of people who smoke and whether the optimal approach differentially benefited people who smoke based on their education, gender, or race. METHODS: Secondary analysis was conducted on a randomized clinical trial (N = 1250) comparing (1) immediate reduction from 15.5 to 0.4 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco(mg/g);(2) gradual reduction to 0.4 mg/g;(3) control group with normal nicotine cigarettes(15.5 mg/g). Outcomes included cigarettes per day(CPD), carbon monoxide(CO), total nicotine equivalents(TNE), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and its glucuronides(NNAL), phenanthrene tetraol(PheT), N-Acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-l-cysteine(CEMA). Data were analyzed as area under the curve(AUC). RESULTS: Results were presented by education (High school[HS] or less n = 505, more than HS n = 745), gender (males n = 701, females n = 549), and race (Black participants n = 373,White participants n = 758). Regardless of education, gender, and race, CPD, CO, TNE, NNAL, PheT, and CEMA were lower in immediate versus gradual nicotine reduction. Comparing immediate versus the control, outcomes were lower for all subgroups; however, the magnitude of the effect for TNE varied by race. Specifically, geometric mean of the AUC of TNE in immediate versus gradual was 49 % lower in Black participants and 61 % lower in White participants (p-value = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Immediately reducing nicotine in cigarettes has the potential to benefit people who smoke across lower and higher educational attainment, male and female gender, and Black and White race.

Religious and Spiritual Development from Adolescence to Early Adulthood in the U.S.: Changes over Time and Sexual Orientation Differences.

Adolescence is a critical time in the U.S. for religious development in that many young people eschew their religious identity as they enter adulthood. In general, religion is associated with a number of positive health outcomes including decreased substance use and depression. The current study compared the developmental patterns of religiosity and spirituality in heterosexual and sexual minority youth. The design was a secondary data analysis of the first five waves of the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and Wellness (N = 337, 71.8% female). Using multilevel linear (for spirituality) and quadratic (for religiosity) growth models, the initial level and change over time in religiosity and spirituality, as well as the correlations between growth processes, were compared between heterosexual and sexual minority individuals. The heterosexual group had significantly higher initial religiosity levels than the sexual minority group. Religiosity decreased over time at a similar rate for the heterosexual and sexual minority groups. Spirituality significantly increased over time for the sexual minority group but not for the heterosexual youth. The change over time in religiosity and spirituality were significantly and positively correlated for heterosexual individuals but were uncorrelated for sexual minority individuals. Results indicate there are differences in religious development based on sexual minority status. Future research should take into account how these differential religious and spiritual developmental patterns seen in heterosexual and sexual minority youth might predict various health outcomes.

An Evaluation of Potential Unintended Consequences of a Nicotine Product Standard: A Focus on Drinking History and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: A nicotine product standard reducing the nicotine content in cigarettes could improve public health by reducing smoking. This study evaluated the potential unintended consequences of a reduced nicotine product standard by examining its effects on (1) smoking behaviors based on drinking history; (2) drinking behavior; and (3) daily associations between smoking and drinking. METHODS: Adults who smoke daily (n = 752) in the United States were randomly assigned to smoke very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes versus normal nicotine content (NNC; control) cigarettes for 20 weeks. Linear mixed models determined if baseline drinking moderated the effects of VLNC versus NNC cigarettes on Week 20 smoking outcomes. Time-varying effect models estimated the daily association between smoking VLNC cigarettes and drinking outcomes. RESULTS: Higher baseline alcohol use (vs no use or lower use) was associated with a smaller effect of VLNC on Week 20 urinary total nicotine equivalents (ps < .05). No additional moderation was supported (ps > .05). In the subsample who drank (n = 415), in the VLNC versus NNC condition, daily alcohol use was significantly reduced from Weeks 17 to 20 and odds of binge drinking were significantly reduced from Weeks 9 to 17. By Week 7, in the VLNC cigarette condition (n = 272), smoking no longer predicted alcohol use but remained associated with binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS: We did not support negative unintended consequences of a nicotine product standard. Nicotine reduction in cigarettes generally affected smoking behavior for individuals who do not drink or drink light-to-moderate amounts in similar ways. Extended VLNC cigarette use may improve public health by reducing drinking behavior. IMPLICATIONS: There was no evidence that a VLNC product standard would result in unintended consequences based on drinking history or when considering alcohol outcomes. Specifically, we found that a very low nicotine standard in cigarettes generally reduces smoking outcomes for those who do not drink and those who drink light-to-moderate amounts. Furthermore, an added public health benefit of a very low nicotine standard for cigarettes could be a reduction in alcohol use and binge drinking over time. Finally, smoking VLNC cigarettes may result in a decoupling of the daily associations between smoking and drinking.

Same-day use of cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis among sexual minority and heterosexual young adult smokers.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority (SM) young adults have higher rates of substance use than heterosexuals, but little is known about daily use of multiple substances, which confer numerous health risks for this population. Using daily diary data from a smartphone-based study, we examined the associations between sexual identity (i.e., SM vs. heterosexual) and patterns of same-day multiple substance use (i.e., cigarettes and alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis, alcohol and cannabis, and all 3 substances). METHOD: Young adult smokers (N = 147, aged 18-26, 51.7% female, 41.5% SM, 40.8% White) reported consecutive daily assessments on substance use over 30 days. We used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between sexual identity and patterns of same-day multiple substance use, controlling for demographic factors and psychological distress. RESULTS: Of 2,891 daily assessments, 16.7% reported same-day use of cigarettes and alcohol, 18.1% cigarettes and cannabis, 1.5% alcohol and cannabis, and 15.0% use of all 3 substances. SM participants (vs. heterosexuals) had significantly greater odds of reporting days with use of cigarettes and cannabis [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.04, 4.01]] and use of all three substances (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI [1.51, 5.14]) than days with single substance use or no use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings warrant tailored interventions addressing multiple substance use among SM young adults and temporally accurate measures of multiple substance use patterns. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

We are in This Together: Promoting Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Tobacco Research for Sexual and Gender Minority Populations.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals have higher tobacco use prevalence and consequently higher burden of tobacco-caused diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease compared with their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts. Yet, there is a critical gap in research focused on measuring SGM tobacco-related health disparities and addressing unmet needs of SGM individuals in the context of nicotine and tobacco research. AIMS AND METHODS: In this commentary, we summarize recommendations discussed during a pre-conference workshop focused on challenges and opportunities in conducting SGM tobacco control research at the 2019 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. RESULTS: Specifically, we recommend defining and measuring SGM identity in all nicotine and tobacco research routinely, using novel methods to engage a demographically diverse sample of the SGM population, and eliciting SGM community voices in tobacco control research. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing these critical research gaps will enable the scientific community to generate the data to fully understand and support SGM individuals in tobacco use prevention and cessation. IMPLICATIONS: Tobacco use and its consequences have become increasingly concentrated in disadvantaged groups, including sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. Through concrete recommendations in this commentary, we aimed to promote health equity, diversity, and inclusion in tobacco research for SGM populations by urging the scientific community to consider expanding efforts to monitor and address tobacco-related health disparities of SGM populations within their respective research programs.