Yolanda Padilla
University of Texas, School of Social Work
1925 San Jacinto
Austin TX 78712
USA
Phone: 512-471-6266
FAX: 512-471-9600
Email: ypadilla@mail.utexas.edu

Purpose: Despite a higher risk for substance abuse among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth, little empirical evidence exists about factors related to the coming out process, self-esteem, and social support that affect their likelihood of substance abuse. The purpose of this study is to examine one specific health risk behavior in this population, substance use, and determine whether GLB youth who are experiencing life stressors are more vulnerable to substance use.

Methods: Data for this study were drawn from a dataset of 3132 gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth 18 years of age or younger conducted in 2000 via an online survey on the health, well-being, and social environment of GLB youth. Results are based on baseline bivariate analyses of factors influencing substance use among GLB youth. Overall,  21.7 percent of the youth in the sample reported abusing substances (marijuana, Ecstasy, cocaine, or crystal methamphetamine) in the last 30 days.

Results: The findings based on baseline bivariate analyses provide evidence for a strong relationship between the stressors faced by gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and the risk for substance use. Characteristics of GLB youth who are more vulnerable to substance use include: having experienced extended periods of sadness affecting usual activities, having attempted to hurt themselves, having been verbally insulted or threatened with physical violence because they were thought to be gay, and lacking family support.

Implications for Practice: Although gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth have many of the same developmental challenges as do heterosexual youth, they must also learn how to deal with a stigmatized identity and often lack of family and community support. This study emphasizes the significance in social work practice of being cognizant of specific risk factors that may make gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth more susceptible to substance abuse.