Differentiating LGBT individuals in substance abuse treatment: Analyses based on sexuality and drug preference

Bryan N. Cochran, K. Michelle Peavy, Annesa Flentje Santa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a prior study (Cochran Cauce, 2006), LGBT individuals seeking treatment demonstrated greater substance use severity, more psychosocial stressors, and increased use of psychiatric services when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. That study, and similar to others in the field of LGBT research, collapsed LGBT individuals into a single category and did not examine individual differences within this category. The present study utilizes the same sample of LGBT clients (N = 610); however, an exploratory cluster analysis was conducted, based on drug preference, to determine which subcategories exist within this unique sample. In a subsequent set of analyses, the sample was divided based on sexuality to determine if there were differences between these groups on psychosocial functioning variables. Results indicated three distinct clusters, which differed in both demographic characteristics and severity of substance use problems. Groups based on sexuality differed in terms of primary problem substance, as well as psychosocial variables. Implications for treatment of these subgroups are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-75
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of LGBT Health Research
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 14 2008

Keywords

  • Cluster analysis
  • LGBT
  • Sexual minority
  • Substance abuse

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