Intimate Partner Violence Predicts Alcohol and Substance Use Among Young Sexual and Gender Minorities Assigned Male at Birth: A Longitudinal Analysis of the RADAR Cohort.

backgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue in sexual and gender minority people assigned male at birth (SGM-AMAB), with rates at or above those of cisgender women. However, there is little research on how IPV exposure may impact alcohol and drug use (DU) in this population, impeding holistic intervention development. This study investigated whether experiences of IPV lead to higher rates of substance use over time among SGM-AMAB.

methodsData from the RADAR cohort study of Chicago-based SGM-AMAB (n=1,239) were used. Cross-lagged generalized estimating equations with repeated measures and Poisson regression models examined if experiences of IPV at one timepoint predicted DU and hazardous alcohol use 6 months later over a five-year period.

findingsAbout one in five (19%) participants reported physical, sexual, or emotional IPV in the six months before visit 1. While all participants' DU increased across the study period (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.026, 95% CI = 1.012-1.041, p = .0003), participants reporting any IPV at a given timepoint were more likely to report greater DU 6 months later (aRR = 1.145, CI = 1.055-1.242, p = .0012) than those who did not report IPV. Similarly, participants reporting any IPV were more likely to report high-risk alcohol use 6 months later (aRR = 1.033, 95% CI = 1.002-1.064, p = .0344).

conclusionThis study is among the first to investigate temporal relationships between IPV, DU, and hazardous alcohol use in SGM-AMAB. The findings indicate a high burden of IPV, alcohol misuse, and substance misuse in this population, reinforcing that both violence and substance use are important issues in these communities. Results suggest IPV prevention and mitigation should be integrated into holistic substance use reduction efforts for SGM-AMAB. SHORT SUMMARY: This longitudinal study examined how IPV affects substance and alcohol use among SGM-AMAB. Using data from 1,239 participants over five years, the research found that experiencing IPV significantly predicted increased drug use and hazardous alcohol consumption six months post-violence. This study provides critical evidence supporting the integration of IPV prevention and mitigation into substance use interventions for SGM-AMAB communities.