Associations Among Enacted Stigma, Perceived Chances for Success, Life Satisfaction, and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth

Abstract

Background: Sexual minority youth report high rates of substance use compared to heterosexual youth. Stigma can diminish perceptions of future success and life satisfaction and contribute to elevated substance use. This study examined whether experiences of enacted stigma (i.e., discrimination) and substance use among sexual minority and heterosexual youth were indirectly associated through perceived chances for success and life satisfaction. Method: In a sample of 487 adolescents who indicated their sexual identity (58% female, M age = 16.0, 20% sexual minority), we assessed substance use status and factors that might explain sexual minority disparities in substance use. Using structural equation modeling, we examined indirect associations between sexual minority status and substance use status through these factors. Results: Compared to heterosexual youth, sexual minority youth reported greater stigma, which was associated with both lower perceived chances for success and life satisfaction, which were in turn associated with greater likelihood of substance use. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of attending to stigma, perceived chances for success, and general life satisfaction to understand and intervene to prevent substance use among sexual minority youth.

Keywords:

• Sexual minority
• adolescents
• substance use
• stigma
• life satisfaction

Declaration of interest

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Data availability statement

Data are not publicly available. This study was not preregistered.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism under R01 AA016838 (PI: Jackson); K01 AA026335 (PI: Janssen); under K08 AA025011 (PI: Mereish); under K02 AA13938 (PI: Jackson) and under T32 AA007459 (PI: Monti), K08 K08 AA029181 (PI: Haikalis).