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Symposia

LGBTQ+

Session: From Surviving to Thriving: Overcoming Trauma and Minority Stress in Queer Communities

4 - (SYM 28) Exploring the Intersections of Minority Stress, Substance Use, and Traumatic Stress Exposure and Symptoms Among Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) People

Friday, November 17, 2023
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM PST
Location: Skagit (603), Level 6

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people have greater trauma exposure, substance use, and PTSD symptoms and diagnoses than the general population. Minority stress has been directly linked to the worsening or development of PTSD symptoms. Yet, few studies have explored the relationships between minority stress, PTSD symptoms, and Criterion A trauma among SGM people. The aim of this study was to: 1) examine demographic differences in PTSD symptom severity, 2) investigate the co-occurrence of PTSD symptoms and substance use, and 3) explore whether minority stress is still related to PTSD symptoms after accounting for Criterion A events. The sample (N = 4,589) came from The PRIDE Study, a cohort of SGM people in the U.S. The data were from The PRIDE Study’s 2021 Annual Questionnaire. PTSD symptoms and probable PTSD diagnosis were assessed using the Abbreviated 6-Item PTSD Checklist (PCL-6). Alcohol and other substance use were measured using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (responses for each were dichotomized: moderate/high risk versus no risk). Minority stress was assessed using the general and adapted sexual minority stress subscales of the Cultural Assessment of Risk for Suicide (CARS). Participants completed 2-3 subscales depending on whether they completed measures for people who were sexual minority or sexual + gender minority. Criterion A trauma was measured by one item from the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). We used general linear models, pairwise comparisons, chi-square tests, and logistic regressions to test our aims. Older age was associated with lower PTSD symptoms (B = -.07, p = < .001). All sexual orientation groups (except for straight/heterosexual) had greater PTSD symptoms than people who identified as gay/lesbian (B range: .59-2.65, p range: < .001-.027). All gender groups had greater PTSD symptoms than cisgender men (B range: 1.05-3.15, p < .001 for all). Non-binary people had greater PTSD symptoms than transgender women (p = .045). People who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, or Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish had more PTSD symptoms than those who did not endorse these identities (B = 1.44, p < .001; B = .94, p = .004). General and SGM-specific minority stress were related to greater likelihood of having probable PTSD, even after accounting for Criterion A events (OR: 1.10, p < .001; OR: 1.12, p < .001). Future trauma interventions with SGM people should incorporate coping strategies for minority stress and substance use.