211. The Impact of Bullying On Substance Use Trajectories Among Sexual Minority Girls

Sexual minority girls (SMGs) are at high risk for substance use due, in part, to anti-gay stress and discrimination (i.e. Minority Stress). Bullying, a known risk factor for substance use, is one source of stress that SMGS are more likely to experience than are heterosexual girls. However, little is known on how bullying influences substance use among SMGs throughout adolescence. Identifying this influence can help describe the etiology of substance use and inform subsequent intervention strategies to reduce substance use among SMGs; therefore, the purpose of this prospective study was to examine etiologic predictors of nicotine, marijuana, and alcohol use trajectories among sexual minority girls (SMGs) across a five-year period in adolescence.

Source: Journal of Adolescent Health - January 16, 2019 Category: Child Development Authors: Gerald T. Montano, Robert W.S. Coulter, Taylor Paglisotti, Michael P. Marshal, Heather L. McCauley, Elizabeth Miller, Alison E. Hipwell Source Type: research