# Impact of supportive policies on minority stress, drinking and health among women

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2021 · $135,171

## Abstract

Abstract. The proposed research responds directly to NOT-OD-20-097 by building on the aims of our current
R01 study (AA013328-13). Over the past several decades research has clearly demonstrated that compared
with their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual) are at substantially
higher risk of hazardous drinking (HD; i.e., heavy average drinking, heavy episodic drinking, intoxication,
adverse drinking consequences and alcohol dependence symptoms). HD-related risks among women are
associated with stress. Added to the stress experienced by women in the general population are stressors
unique to having a minority sexual identity, such as stigma and discrimination. Sexual minority stressors are
likely amplified by COVID-19 (C-19). For the past 20 years, the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of
Women (CHLEW) study has focused on identifying risk and protective factors and the mechanisms by which
these factors influence HD among SMW. The parent grant for this supplement (CHLEW Waves 4 & 5; R01
AA013328) focuses on the impact of an historic structural-level event (i.e., legalization of same-sex marriage)
assumed to be supportive of SMW and their health. We are now confronted by another historic macro-level
event—the C-19 pandemic. In this case the impact is assumed to be threatening rather than supportive. To
rapidly improve understanding of critical social and behavioral aspects of the pandemic relative to HD among
SMW, we will add an online C-19 module to W5 of the CHLEW, currently underway. We will compare drinking
outcomes in W5 with those assessed in W4 (2018-19), before the pandemic. The online C-19-specific
questions will complement the unique and rich data on social and behavioral factors already collected that are
highly relevant to the pandemic. Specific aims are to: Aim 1: Examine the impact of the C-19 pandemic on
drinking outcomes in a diverse sample of SMW. To gain an understanding of C-19’s impact on drinking among
SMW we will compare changes in drinking outcomes in W4 (2018-19) and in W5 (currently in progress). We
expect that SMW overall will report higher volumes of alcohol consumption and higher levels of HD indicators
following the onset of C-19. Aim 2: Compare drinking outcomes among SMW based on two major C-19-
related impacts (isolation and loss of employment) and by race/ethnicity, age, and sexual identity. In general,
we expect that SMW who are more isolated (e.g., live alone) and those who experience recent loss of
employment will report greater increases in alcohol consumption and in HD than SMW who live with a partner
or their families, or SMW who are employed. However, associations between these factors and drinking will
vary by living situation (e.g., living with/caring for children or elderly parents) and type of employment (front-line
or other high-risk job). We also expect to find subgroup differences in HD based on race/ethnicity, age, and
sexual identity. Results of the study will e...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10214277
- **Project number:** 3R01AA013328-14S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** TONDA L HUGHES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $135,171
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2001-07-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10214277

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10214277, Impact of supportive policies on minority stress, drinking and health among women (3R01AA013328-14S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10214277. Licensed CC0.

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