Parent and friend support and communication as correlates of sexual and gender minority alcohol use in sexual contexts.

Abstract

Purpose: Emerging adults who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) often report greater alcohol use and adverse sexual health experiences compared to cisgender heterosexual (CH) peers. This study investigated whether participants' identity as either SGM or CH was related to drinking in sexual contexts (DISC) through its relationship with levels of social support, supportive communication, and sex communication from parents and friends.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey responses were collected on-line during November 2024-May 2025 from a convenience sample of 674 university students in the USA.

Results: Two path models were conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, one examining parent variables, and the other examining friend variables. Each model specified one predictor (identity: CH or SGM), one outcome (DISC), and four parallel mediators (social support [parent/friend]; general communication [parent/friend], open sex communication [parent/friend]; lack of sex communication [parent/friend]. The indirect path of identity to DISC was significant via parent lack of sex communication (b = 0.11, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.24]) and friend open sex communication (b = 0.11, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [0.04, 0.22]), but not via parent/friend social support and general communication, parent open sex communication, and friend lack of sex communication. Compared to CH participants, SGM participants reported significantly more open friend sex communication and parent lack of sex communication which were associated with significantly higher levels of DISC.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of DISC within the conversation of SGM sexual health and the need for family and peer-based interventions.