Drinking to Cope with Sexual Minority Stressors: Understanding Alcohol Use and Consequences among LGBQ Emerging Adults

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) emerging adults (EAs) report higher rates of alcohol use and consequences than heterosexual EAs. Although experiencing sexual minority stressors contributes to problematic alcohol outcomes, the underlying processes remain unclear. This study examined drinking to cope with negative emotions (coping motives) as a mediator of the association between sexual minority stressors and alcohol outcomes. A total of 252 LGBQ EAs completed a series of online questionnaires measuring sexual minority stressors, coping motives, and alcohol outcomes. Homonegative microaggressions and violence based on sexual orientation discrimination were significantly associated with alcohol use. In addition, maternal and parental rejection, homonegative microaggressions, and violence based on sexual orientation discrimination were significantly associated with alcohol consequences. Coping motives emerged as a significant mediator across all models, indicating that drinking to cope with negative emotions partially accounts for greater alcohol use and consequences among LGBQ EAs who have experienced sexual minority stressors. These findings highlight coping motives as an important target for reducing alcohol use and consequences among LGBQ EAs.