THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VICTIMIZATION, RESILIENCE, LONELINESS, AND SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY YOUNG ADULTS OF COLOR

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are at an increased risk of experiencing verbal, physical, and/or sexual victimization, and this risk is even higher for SGM individuals who also identify as racial/ethnic minorities. Victimization can lead to worse outcomes in SGM people of color when compared to their White, heterosexual, and cisgender counterparts. To address limitations in the literature, this study examined the associations between two forms of victimization, intimate partner victimization and non-intimate partner victimization, and risk of harmful substance use in SGM young people of color (POC). The moderating roles of resilience and loneliness on these associations were also explored. Secondary data analyses were conducted using the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment Spring 2021 dataset (N = 96,489) which consisted of a subsample of approximately 8,584 SGM young adults of color (ages 18-25). Significant associations were found between intimate partner victimization and risk for harmful alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use as well as non-intimate partner victimization and risk for harmful alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and hallucinogen use. Furthermore, resilience was found to serve as a potential protective factor as it significantly moderated the relationship between non-intimate partner victimization and risk for harmful alcohol use. Loneliness was not a significant moderator of the associations between victimization and all substance use outcomes. Overall, these findings highlight the debilitating consequences of victimization when it comes to hazardous substance use in SGM POC young adults and emphasizes the need for the development of additional research and interventions to address the health and well-being of this population.

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