Citation

McGeough BL, Paceley M, Zemore SE, Lunn MR, Obedin-Maliver J, Lubensky ME, Flentje A. J. Gay Lesbian Soc. Serv. 2023; 35(4): 398-419.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10538720.2023.2172759

PMID

38152636

PMCID

PMC10752627

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority individuals (e.g., gay, bisexual, non-binary, transgender; SGMI) are 2-6 times as likely as cisgender heterosexual individuals to experience alcohol or other substance use disorders. SGMI participate in 12-Step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), at high rates. Though social support is an established mechanism through which 12-Step programs support reductions in substance use, little is known about SGMI's experiences of the social support in 12-Step programs. This qualitative study aims to understand the experiences of social and community support among SGMI involved in 12-Step programs. This study employed thematic analysis to interpret open-ended responses from 302 SGMI who had participated in 12-Step programs. Data was from The PRIDE Study, a large, national, online. longitudinal, cohort study of SGMI. Two themes emerged about how SGMI experienced social and community support in 12-Step programs: beneficial connections and harmful environments. Beneficial connections included a sense of community, shared experiences, and skills provision. Harmful environments included marginalization, oppression, violence, and bullying. This study highlights the variability of experiences of SGMI participating in 12-Step programs. These findings suggest that many SGMI may benefit from 12-Step programs but may need support in coping with potential harms that can emerge through participation.

Language: en

Keywords

substance use; social support; LGBTQ-affirming services; Mutual help groups; sexual and gender minority individuals