Lingering Effects of Loss? Widowhood and Substance Use in the LGB Population

Abstract

Little is known about widowhood's effects on externalizing expressions of distress, like substance use, among sexual minorities. Our study is the first to address this issue using a large national sample of LGB individuals living in the United States. Using the 2010 Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study ( n = 2,258), we ran logistic regression models predicting current smoking, past 30-day binge drinking, and past year drug use. Widowhood predicted higher odds of drug use. These results were found for currently partnered individuals, suggesting that widowhood's effects are not completely offset by current partnership. In contrast, widowhood did not predict smoking or binge drinking. All results held for women and men. Results suggest that LGB widowhood's effects on substance use vary by current partner status and substance type. These findings contrast with those of studies examining widowhood's effects on internalized expressions of distress, which consistently find detrimental effects.