Research That Matters (January 17 - 20, 2008)

Purpose: Research focused on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and related problems of lesbian and heterosexual women supports the conclusion that AOD use is a serious health concern affecting sexual minority women (Corliss, et al., 2006; Hughes & Eliason, 2002). A majority of that research combines data obtained from lesbian, bisexual, and other non-heterosexually identified women for comparison with that of heterosexuals. This practice, while often necessary due to small samples, obscures any differences in substance use practices and risk factors that may exist between lesbians and bisexual women. A few more recent reports, using disaggregated data (separating lesbian and bisexual women), suggest that differences do exist and those differences may place bisexual women at greater risk for AOD problems than either exclusively hetero or homosexual women (Burgard, et al., 2005; Drabble, et al., 2005; Jorm, 2002). A study of the health and life experiences of women who self-identify as lesbian or bisexual provides the opportunity to examine variations in alcohol and other drug use patterns and related problems between these two groups of women. Method: The Women's Health Identity and Lifetime Development (WHILD) study, completed in 2006, used a broad range of recruitment strategies, including efforts specifically targeted to racial/ethnic minorities and other hard-to-reach women. Women were eligible for the study if they self-identified as lesbian or bisexual, were English speaking, and were 18-years-old or older. A racially (59% white, 26% Black, 12% Hispanic, 4% other) and age diverse (range: ages18 to 68 years; mean = 37.4 years) sample of self-identified lesbians and bisexual women (n = 160) volunteered to participate. The WHILD questionnaire, which included more than 200 questions about various aspects of women's health, identity, relationships, alcohol or other drug use and related topics, was administered individually in face-to-face interviews conducted by trained interviewers. Data relevant to AOD use and alcohol-related problems of lesbian and bisexual women are examined and compared. Results: Few of the differences in lifetime alcohol use and alcohol-related problems of lesbian and bisexual women in this study achieved statistical significance. However, trends in the data suggest heavier current drinking and more dependency symptoms among bisexual women while lesbians reported more lifetime problem consequences and a greater likelihood of being in recovery from alcoholism. Lesbian and bisexual women did report significantly different patterns of other drug use. Lesbians were more likely than bisexual women to report lifetime amphetamine use while bisexual women were more likely to report current tobacco use and lifetime use of cocaine or crack and heroin. Implications: Findings support recent evidence that lesbian and bisexual women differ in reported AOD use and related problems. These findings can inform prevention and treatment providers in targeting outreach to different at-risk groups. Further research to better clarify the etiology of AOD use differences between lesbian and bisexual women is needed.