Social and Psychological Influences on Tobacco Product Use among Sexual Minority Youth
Open AccessEvidence is limited as to why prevalence rates of tobacco remain higher among sexual minority youth compared to the general adolescent population. Through application of the minority stress framework, data from the 2014 Maryland Youth Tobacco and Risk Behavior Survey (MD YTRBS) were used to assess the overall nature of the association between minority-related stressors and negative health behavior outcomes, including tobacco product use, alcohol use and marijuana use among sexual minority youth compared to heterosexual (straight) youth (ages 12 to 19, (N=55,596) Mental health symptoms (suicidality and depressive symptoms) were examined as mediators of minority-related stressors and negative health outcomes . Social support was also examined as a moderator of minority-related stressors and mental health outcomes. Among respondents, 3.5% of youth were gay or lesbian, 7.7% were bisexual, 4.3% were questioning (unsure). Multivariable regression analyses indicated higher odds of tobacco product use and other substance use among sexual minority youth. Results indicated evidence of mediation effects for the association between minority-related stressors and mental health outcomes (suicidality, depressive symptoms). Perceived social support was found to moderate the association between distal stress and depression. Disparities in health behavior outcomes were found to exist among sexual minority youth. Further research pertaining to sexual minority youth populations and tobacco use is necessary. Influencing factors vary and are complex (Easton, Jackson, Corneau, & Sell, 2008). More data is needed in order to better understand causative factors that increase health risk behaviors among sexual minority youth (Coker et al. 2010).
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