Elevated risk of substance use disorder and suicidal ideation among Black and Hispanic lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

Abstract

ObjectiveBlack and Hispanic persons who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) experience health disparities relative to non-Hispanic White and heterosexual groups respectively, including higher rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and substance use disorder (SUD). To elucidate intersectional risk, we used a large national sample to examine rates of SI, SUD, and their co-occurrence (SI + SUD) at the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity. MethodData were from five years (2015–2019) of the National Survey of Drug Use and Heath (unweighted N = 189,127). Multinomial logistic regressions with persons without SI and SUD as references were stratified by gender and controlled for survey year, age, education, marital status, and income. ResultsCompared to same-race and same-gender heterosexual adults, White, Black, and Hispanic LGB men and women showed higher odds of SI (AOR = 2.86–4.45), SUD (AOR = 1.23–3.01), and SI + SUD (AOR = 2.72–6.85). Compared to same-gender White heterosexual adults, Black and Latinx heterosexual men and women showed lower odds of SI (AORs = .54–.65), SUD (AORs = .52–.78) and SI + SUD (AORs = .41–.57). Compared to same-gender White LGB adults, Black and Hispanic women, but not men, showed lower SI odds (AORs = .58–.72). Compared to same-gender White heterosexual adults, Black and Hispanic LGB men and women showed higher odds of SI (AORs = 1.71–2.51) and SI + SUD (AORs = 1.91–2.97). ConclusionsConsistent with research showing effects of multiple minority stress on behavioral health, adults with intersecting racial/ethnic and sexual minority identities showed increased odds of SI, SUD, and SI + SUD relative to Non-Hispanic White heterosexual peers. Black, Hispanic, and White LGB adults may benefit from screening and intervention for SI and SUD.