@article{ref1,
title="LGBTQ state policies: a lever for reducing SGM youth substance use and bullying",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2021",
author="Watson, Ryan J. and Fish, Jessica N. and Denary, Whitney and Caba, Antonia and Cunningham, Casey and Eaton, Lisa A.",
volume="221",
number="",
pages="e108659-e108659",
abstract="PURPOSE: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are more likely than their cisgender and heterosexual peers to use substances and to be bullied, yet it is unknown whether the absence/presence of youth- and LGBTQ-specific equity laws drive these disparities. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research focused on adult- and LGBTQ-specific structural factors (e.g., same-sex marriage laws) to determine whether the youths' structural environment (i.e., state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws) was associated with bullying and recent alcohol use, binge drinking, and cigarette use among SGMY. PROCEDURES: We utilized data from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey, collected in 2017 (N = 8,841 sexual and gender minority youth). Linear regression analyses examined the association between bullying and substance use and between state-level LGBTQ youth-focused equity laws (individually and as a composite variable) and bullying and substance use. <br><br>FINDINGS: SGMY living in states with LGBTQ equity laws were less likely to experience bullying. <br><br>FINDINGS regarding the relation between LGBTQ equity laws and substance use were mixed, such that LGBTQ equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol use, and a lower likelihood of cigarette use. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the role of state-level equity laws in reducing bullying and substance use disparities for SGMY. Yet, given the finding that equity laws were associated with a higher likelihood of binge drinking, it is important to continue to explore how the structural environment shapes SGMY health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108659",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108659"
}