ERIC Number: EJ1203771
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Substance Use and School Characteristics in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual High School Students
Fallin-Bennett, Amanda; Goodin, Amie
Journal of School Health, v89 n3 p219-225 Mar 2019
Background: Tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) high school students as well as related environment and school-level risk and protective factors were examined. Methods: Data was acquired from the 2015 CDC's Youth Behavior Risk Survey for Kentucky (N = 2577). Prevalence of substance use was calculated for all high school respondents by reported sexual orientation. Multivariate analyses estimated the relationship between school and environmental-level factors (eg, having an adult to talk to) and tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use via logistic regressions. Sexual orientation, gender, age, and race/ethnicity were covariates. Results: LGB students used tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs more frequently than their heterosexual counterparts. More LGB teens report facing school risk factors (eg, 37% LGB vs 20% heterosexual bullied at school, p = 0.001; 17% LGB vs 5% heterosexual ever threatened or injured at school, p < 0.001; 13% LGB vs 7% heterosexual involved in a school fight, p = 0.001). Adjusting for school related risk factors, having an adult to talk to was associated with a reduced likelihood of daily smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-0.73), past 30-day alcohol use (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-0.95), and ever marijuana use (aOR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.50-1.00). Conclusion: Innovative strategies are needed to create safe, supportive school environments. These strategies are particularly needed in predominately rural states like Kentucky.
Descriptors: Substance Abuse, Bullying, Correlation, Homosexuality, High School Students, Sexual Orientation, Gender Differences, Student Attitudes, Measures (Individuals), Injuries, Aggression, At Risk Students, Smoking, Drinking, Marijuana, School Safety, Rural Areas, Adults, Interpersonal Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kentucky
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A