Same, opposite and both-sex attracted adolescents’ mental health, safe-sex practices and substance use

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined mental health, substance use, and sexual health across sexual attraction groups.Methods: 428 adolescents recruited from school-based health centers completed self-report measures. 72% were only opposite-sex attracted, 19% both-sex attracted, 3% same-sex attracted, 4% not sure.Results: Reported partners did not always align with reported attraction. Compared to opposite-sex attracted youth, 1) both-sex attracted youth had significantly higher rates of marijuana use (OR = 1.75, p = .04), depressive symptoms (OR = 2.62, p = .001) and inconsistent condom use (OR = 1.71, p = .05); 2) the “not sure” group had higher anxiety symptoms (OR = 4, p = .01).Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering sexual attraction in providing quality care to young people.

Keywords:

• Adolescent mental health
• sexual attraction
• sexual minority
• substance use
• sexual health

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, EG. The data are not publicly available due to their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Conflict of interest

No competing financial interests exist.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grant #1 R21 AA023050-01A1 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).