THE LINGERING EFFECTS OF LOSS: WIDOWHOOD AND SUBSTANCE USE IN THE LGBT POPULATION

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Abstract The immense stress of widowhood can lead to unhealthy coping strategies, including substance use. Relatively little is known, however, about widowhood’s effects on substance use among sexual minorities. Of the few studies examining LGB widowhood, none employ large, nationally representative samples or consider whether effects depend on current partner status. We address these issues using a sample of 2,258 respondents aged 50 and older who participated in the 2010 Aging with Pride: National Health, Ageing, and Sexuality/Gender Study. Multivariate regression analyses reveal that widowhood is associated with higher odds of being a current smoker and of using drugs in the past year. These results are found for individuals who are currently partnered, as well as those who are not. This observation suggests that widowhood’s negative effects on use of these substances are not attenuated by the potentially protective effect of current partnership. In contrast, the effects of widowhood on alcohol use do appear to be diminished by current partnership. Among those who have experienced widowhood, those with a current partner are less likely than those without a partner to report problematic drinking. Our results suggest that current partnership may protect against problematic use of more socially acceptable substances like alcohol, but it may not prevent less acceptable behaviors like smoking or drug use. In sum, our study suggests that current partnership may not completely counter the lingering effects of partner loss in the LGB population.