Daily Risk Factors for Using More Alcohol and Cannabis Than Intended: An Examination of Contextual and Motivational Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Women and Gender Diverse Individuals

Abstract

Drinking more than intended is associated with alcohol consequences in the general population, and some risk factors have been identified. However, it is unclear whether these risk factors generalize to sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals and whether unique SGM risk factors may also contribute to drinking more than intended. Research with the general population has also neglected the examination of using more cannabis than intended and the potential role of substance use motives. We aimed to address these gaps by examining contextual, motivational, and SGM-specific risk factors for using more alcohol or cannabis than intended at the daily level. We used ecological momentary assessment data from 366 sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth. Social drinking was associated with drinking more than intended, consistent with prior work. Additional novel risk factors also emerged, including social, enhancement, and conformity motives. Several risk factors for drinking more than intended extended to using more cannabis than intended (i.e., social use; social, conformity, enhancement motives), while one cannabis-specific factor emerged (i.e., coping motives). Only one SGM-specific risk factor predicted drinking more than intended (i.e., drinking with SGM). Together, the findings highlight several potential targets for interventions aiming to reduce consequences associated with drinking more than intended. For example, interventions may encourage SGM young adults to adjust their protective behavioral strategies so that they would be adequate if they drank more than intended.

Related Publications