An Examination of Protective Factors for Bisexual Stigma and Alcohol Use among Heavy Drinking Young Bisexual Women.

Bisexual women are an at-risk population for hazardous drinking. One factor contributing to their risk is binegativity (discrimination from heterosexual and lesbian/gay communities). Research has found a positive association between binegativity and alcohol use, but few studies have explored protective factors (bisexual identity affirmation, connectedness to bisexual community) that may buffer this relationship.

The Relative Reinforcing Value of Menthol Among Young Adult Cigarette Smokers: Results From a Behavioral Choice Task.

Introduction: Menthol cigarettes are associated with experimentation and progression to regular use. Although reinforcement processes likely underlie menthol's appeal, the reinforcing value of menthol cigarettes remains unknown.

Aims And Methods: This study examined the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of menthol versus nonmenthol cigarettes in young adult menthol (n = 54) and nonmenthol (n = 53) smokers, and differences in menthol's RRV by race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Secondhand cannabis smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms among adults living in a state with legalized medical cannabis with limited smoke-free protections.

Background: Little is known about the demographic and health correlates of secondhand cannabis smoke (SHCS) exposure, despite increased availability and use of cannabis across the U.S. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of SHCS exposure in a sample of N=5,410 adults living in Oklahoma and the association of SHCS exposure with self-reported respiratory problems.

Subtypes of Alcohol Expectancies Are Differentially Associated With Alcohol Use for Bisexual and Heterosexual Women.

: Bisexual women, compared to heterosexual women, report greater amounts of alcohol use and heavy drinking. Alcohol expectancies (i.e.

Cigarette smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence at the intersection of sexual identity and sex in the United States: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is disproportionately high among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults. Yet, collapsing these identities into a monolith can disguise important within group disparities (e.g.

Cannabis Use Differences Among Sexual Minority Versus Heterosexual Females and Males in Oklahoma: The Roles of Mental Health, Cannabis Perceptions, and Cannabis Marketing Exposure.

Introduction: Despite the high cannabis use rates among sexual minority (SM) individuals, less research has examined factors related to cannabis use among SM (vs. heterosexual) individuals, especially in places with legal medical cannabis retail markets and high structural stigma, like Oklahoma.

Methods: Data were from a survey of Oklahoma adults, including 3020 females (18.

Distal and Proximal Minority Stressors on Patterns of Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among Young Bisexual Women.

Background: Bisexual women have high rates of tobacco and cannabis use, but few studies have examined co-use behavior in this population. Although the role of distal minority stressors (eg, discrimination) on substance use has been examined, fewer studies have examined proximal minority stressors (eg, negative sexual identity self-schemas). The current study was a secondary data analysis that examined patterns of tobacco and cannabis use, and the role of distal (instability of bisexuality, sexual irresponsibility of bisexual people, and hostility toward bisexual people) and proximal (illegitimacy of bisexuality, anticipated binegativity, internalized binegativity, and identity affirmation) bisexual-specific minority stressors among bisexual women.

Normative Perceptions of Sexual Behavior and Alcohol Use among Bisexual Women.

: As compared to heterosexual and lesbian women, bisexual women report higher rates of alcohol, other substance use, and risky sexual behavior, and they experience more negative outcomes from these behaviors. Descriptive norms (i.e.

Impulsivity, sex-related alcohol expectancies, alcohol use, and sexual risk-taking among bisexual women.

Background And Objectives: According to the acquired preparedness model, personality traits, such as impulsivity, may influence the learning process, contributing to heightened expectations surrounding risky behaviors (i.e., alcohol use, sexual risk-taking).

Exploring the intersection of sexual identity and route of administration in relation to cannabis use among young adult females.

Background And Objective: Rates of cannabis use continue to increase with sexual minority women (SMW) reporting greater use than heterosexual women. Along with these increasing trends, the routes of administration (ROA) for cannabis are evolving. The current study examined associations between cannabis ROA and frequency of use, as well as differences across sexual identity (heterosexual vs.

Parameters of EMA Compliance and Self-Reported Reactivity in a Longitudinal Study of Young Adult Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Users.

Background: Co-use of cannabis and tobacco has become increasingly popular among young adults. Interactive voice response (IVR) based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) allows for measurement of behavior in or near real-time, but has limitations including non-compliance, missing data, and potential for reactivity (e.g.

Differential Pathways of Risky Drinking via Coping Motives in College and Noncollege Young Adults.

The current study tested a mediation model of psychological functioning (i.e., perceived stressors, psychological distress, and self-regulation) and risky drinking through a drinking to cope pathway comparing college and noncollege young adults.

Seeing is believing: How cannabis marketing exposure is associated with cannabis use attitudes and behavior in a permissive medical cannabis policy environment.

Background And Objectives: Oklahoma has a fast-growing medical cannabis industry, showing a proliferation of industry marketing. While cannabis marketing exposure (CME) is a risk factor for cannabis use and positive attitudes about use, no studies have examined the impact of CME on attitudes and use behavior in a permissive cannabis policy environment, like Oklahoma.

Methods: N = 5428 Oklahoma adults ages 18 and older completed assessments of demographics, past 30-day cannabis use, and past 30-day exposure to each of four types of cannabis marketing: outdoor (billboards, signs), social media, print (magazines), and Internet.

Tobacco use characteristics, treatment preferences, and motivation to quit among adults accessing a day shelter in Oklahoma City.

Background: Smoking rates are exceptionally high among adults experiencing homelessness (AEH). Research is needed to inform treatment approaches in this population.

Methods: Participants (n=404) were adults who accessed an urban day shelter and reported current smoking.

Greater Discrimination Frequency and Lower Distress Tolerance Are Associated with Mental Health Problems Among Racially Privileged and Minoritized Adults Accessing an Urban Day Shelter.

Introduction: Discrimination experiences may be a contributing factor to the elevated prevalence of mental health problems among adults experiencing homelessness.

Methods: Using survey data (N = 552) collected from adults seeking services at an urban day shelter, the relationships between everyday and major discrimination experiences, distress tolerance, and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor mental health days) were characterized. Distress tolerance was examined as a moderator of the relationship between discrimination and mental health problems.

Impact of a reduced nicotine standard on young adult appeal for menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.

Introduction: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes as a strategy to promote cessation and reduce smoking-related harm. A low nicotine product standard will apply to all cigarettes on the market, including menthol cigarettes. In December 2021, the FDA approved a modified risk tobacco product application for menthol and non-menthol flavoured very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNC) from the 22nd Century Group.

Criterion Validity of Protective Behavioral Strategies for Alcohol Consumption among College Students: Comparison across Two Measures.

Background: Protective behavioral strategies (PBS), or behaviors used to reduce harm associated with alcohol use, are often associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption, lower engagement in high-risk drinking behaviors, and fewer alcohol-related consequences. Although the majority of studies have found significant associations between higher PBS use and lower consumption or consequences, some studies have found nonsignificant or even positive associations. One explanatory hypothesis is that the mixed findings are due to differential content in PBS measures.

Single-use, co-use, and polysubstance use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in sexual minority and heterosexual females.

Background And Objective: Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use are more prevalent in sexual minority females than heterosexual females, and their use is associated with adverse consequences. Identifying disparities in substance use patterns by sexual identity may inform interventions targeting this vulnerable group. This study examined differences between heterosexual and sexual minority females on patterns of past 30-day tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use.

Dimensions of binegativity differentially predict drinking to cope motivations and alcohol use severity among bisexual women.

Research indicates that bisexual women experience greater stigmatization and discrimination compared to lesbian women. Such oppression is described as and is associated with alcohol use among bisexual women. Specifically, previous research has suggested that bisexual women may drink to cope in an effort to self-medicate from experiences of binegativity.

Pandemic-Related Stress May Be Associated with Symptoms of Poor Mental Health Among African Americans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected African Americans and has been a significant source of stress for this population due to increased economic hardship and social isolation. This study characterized the associations between COVID-19 vulnerability (e.g.

Discrimination, Substance Use, and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults Accessing Day Shelter Services.

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults are overrepresented in the population of individuals experiencing homelessness, and high rates of substance use are common in this group. Plausibly, poor mental health and discrimination may contribute to substance use among SGM adults experiencing homelessness. This study described participant characteristics, and the interrelations among sociodemographic variables, substance use, mental health, and discrimination experiences among 87 SGM adults seeking services at a day shelter in Oklahoma City, OK.

Perceptions of Mental Health and Exploring the Role of Social Activism Among African Americans Exposed to Media Coverage of Police Brutality and Protests.

This study explored the role of social activism in the association of exposure to media coverage of police brutality and protests with perceptions of mental health. Data for this study came from a sample of African Americans (N = 304) who responded to an online survey. Perceptions of mental health were assessed using a single item developed by the research team.

Measuring young adult appeal for menthol and non-menthol cigarettes: protocol of a clinical trial using both laboratory and intensive longitudinal methods (PRISM).

Introduction: Although the Food and Drug Administration banned other characterising flavours in cigarettes, menthol cigarettes are still available to consumers. Young adult new smokers are initiating with menthol cigarettes, such that the prevalence of young adults menthol versus non-menthol smokers is increasing. Experimentation with menthol cigarettes is associated with progression to regular smoking and nicotine dependence.

Characteristics of adults with a medical cannabis license, reasons for use, and perceptions of benefit following medical cannabis legalization in Oklahoma.

Little is known about the risks and benefits associated with medical cannabis legalization. The current study was an online panel survey of adult Oklahomans recruited between September and October 2020 ( = 1898). Respondents with and without a medical cannabis license were compared on sociodemographic, substance use and health characteristics, and sub-analyses focused on the characteristics of licensed and unlicensed past 30-day cannabis users.

Differences between adult sexual minority females and heterosexual females on menthol smoking and other smoking behaviors: Findings from Wave 4 (2016-2018) of the population assessment of tobacco and health study.

Background: Sexual minority females have higher rates of cigarette smoking than heterosexual females. Additionally, menthol cigarette use disproportionately impacts minority smokers, including sexual minority individuals. This study examined differences between sexual minority and heterosexual females on several smoking variables, including initiation with a menthol cigarette, and past 30-day cigarette and menthol cigarette use.