Associations Among Minority Stress, Relaxation and Tension-Reduction Motives, and Cannabis Use Among a Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in Oklahoma.

Abstract

Introduction: Despite well-documented cannabis use disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM; vs heterosexual and/or cisgender) adults, less is known regarding associations of minority stressors, cannabis use motives, and cannabis use outcomes among SGM individuals.

Methods: Data were from a repeated online cross-sectional survey of SGM-identifying adults in Oklahoma (n = 430; 67% female). Multivariable regressions examined associations of: (1) minority stressors (ie, discrimination, internalized stigma, community acceptance/safety, time spent in SGM spaces) with relaxation/tension-reduction cannabis use motives; and (2) minority stress factors and relaxation/tension-reduction motives with cannabis use behaviors (ie, past-month use, daily/near-daily use, possible cannabis use disorder [CUD]) among females and males, separately.

Results: Among female SGM adults, discrimination was associated with more relaxation/tension-reduction motives, which were associated with higher odds of daily/near-daily use and possible CUD. Among male SGM adults, time spent in SGM spaces was associated with more relaxation/tension-reduction motives, which were associated with higher odds of daily/near-daily use and possible CUD.

Conclusion: Findings elucidate associations of discrimination (for female SGM adults) and time spent in SGM spaces (for male SGM adults) with more relaxation/tension-reduction cannabis use motives and associations of relaxation/tension-reduction use motives with worse cannabis use outcomes. Findings provide preliminary insights into the potential need for community-level interventions aimed at reducing discrimination and individual-level interventions aimed at promoting healthier coping behaviors in response to stress for SGM adults.