Substance Use and Relationship Satisfaction Among Sexual Minority Women

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW) are a considerable population, yet they are often overlooked in behavioral health research focusing on problematic alcohol and other drug use. Sexual minority people are at an increased risk of mental and behavioral health problems including substance use disorders. While substantial research has examined the role of substance use within the context of heterosexual relationships, little research exists related to sexual minority individuals in relationships. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the association between relationship satisfaction and substance use among SMW in committed relationships.

Study Objectives: This study examined differences between SMW and heterosexual women related to 1) relationship satisfaction and substance use patterns and 2)  the association between relationship satisfaction and alcohol-related consequences among SMW. 

Methods: Data were collected via online social networks and in-person at several LGBTQ events in the Southwestern United States. Sixty-nine heterosexual women and 130 SMW were included in the sample. We evaluated quantity and frequency of alcohol and drug use over the past 3 months using the Quick Drinking Screen (QDS) and an instrument adapted from the QDS to measure drug use. The primary outcome of interest for frequency was based on participant self-reports of the number of days (during the past 3 months) that they used any alcohol or drugs.  The Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC) was used to assess problematic use patterns. Combined drug/alcohol problem scores were used to create an index of overall problems. Relationship satisfaction was measured using items from the Investment Model Scale.

 Results: Independent samples t-tests indicated that SMW were more satisfied in their relationships than were heterosexual women. There were no significant differences between the two groups of women related to alcohol or drug use. Moreover, there were no significant correlations between frequency of use and relationship satisfaction in either group. However, there were significant associations between drinker consequences and 4 out of 5 relationship satisfaction items (e.g., “my relationship is close to ideal”) among SMW. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated the degree to which types of relationship satisfaction were related to drinker consequences. The overall regression model explained 10% of the variance in consequences (F(5, 113) = 3.24, p < .01). In the sample of SMW, higher global satisfaction is related to lower scores on the DrInC (β= -3.99, p<.01).

 Implications: Despite greater relationship satisfaction among SMW compared to heterosexual women, SMW relationship satisfaction may be impacted by problems associated with drinking or vice versa. While the study sample is limited in size and by virtue of its cross-section (i.e., lack of causal conclusions), findings suggest a need for clinical practitioners who work with couples to delve into substance use patterns and associated consequences. Findings also suggest a need for more research examining the role of substance use in the context of committed relationships among sexual minority individuals.