Sexual-Minority Women and Alcohol: Intersections Between Drinking, Relational Contexts, Stress, and Coping

Abstract

Few studies explore sexual-minority women's experiences and perceptions of alcohol. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six sexual-minority women who reported having sought help for alcohol problems in the past and six who did not. Themes emerged in two broad areas: (1) stressors that contributed to heavy or problem drinking and (2) factors that enhanced coping and reduced both stress and problem use. Alcohol use across groups was framed in terms of social context (e.g., bar patronage), stress management, and addiction. The findings of the study underscore the importance of considering the role of alcohol in managing stress as well as coping factors that may inform social service interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol consumption
• alcohol problems
• sexual orientation
• women
• stress
• coping

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism R21 AA017947 (PIs: Karen Trocki, PhD, Laurie Drabble, MSW, MPH, PhD).