Substance Use and Sexual Orientation among East and Southeast Asian Adolescents in Canada

• NCJ Number: 238220
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: January - March 2012 Pages: 32-50
• Author(s): Yuko Homma; Weihong Chen; Colleen S. Poon; Elizabeth M. Saewyc
• Date Published: January 2012
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01-DA17979; HOA-80059; CPP-86374
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between substance use and sexual orientation among Asian adolescents in Canada.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between substance use and sexual orientation among Asian adolescents in Canada. The authors analyzed an East- and Southeast-Asian subsample of a province-wide, school-based survey (weighted N = 51,349). Compared to heterosexual adolescents of the same gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual adolescents were more likely to use alcohol, marijuana, or other illicit drugs. Particularly, sexual minority girls were at increased risk for substance use. The findings suggest the need for substance use prevention interventions that are sensitive to gender, sexual orientation, and culture. (Published Abstract)