Gender Differences in Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems: Do They Hold for Lesbians and Gay Men?

ABSTRACT

Research regarding gender differences in alcohol use and alcohol-related problems finds that men drink more and suffer higher rates of alcohol-related problems compared with women. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether these differences also exist between lesbians and gay men. A sample of 335 lesbians and gay men were recruited through lesbian and gay events, Listservs, and friendship networks. Items from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2000) measured alcohol consumption. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Selzer, 1971) and the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (Miller, Tonigan, & Longabaugh, 1995) measured alcohol-related problems. Gay men tended to drink more often than lesbians, but there were no significant gender differences regarding alcohol-related problems. Research, theoretical, and clinical implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Lesbian
• gay
• alcohol

The authors would like to thank Y. Barry Chung, Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, for his guidance on this project.

This article is based on the doctoral dissertation of Dean M. Amadio submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD in Counseling Psychology at Georgia State University.

Notes

^aOutliers deleted.

^bAlpha for females and males combined.

^a N = 137 females, 143 males

^b N = 138 females, 141 males.