# The Influence of Multilevel Minority Stress on Hazardous Drinking among Sexual Minority Women

> **NIH NIH F31** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $46,036

## Abstract

Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) represent one of the highest-risk groups for hazardous
drinking (HD; a quantity or pattern of alcohol consumption that places individuals at risk for harmful
consequences that includes heavy episodic drinking, adverse drinking consequences, intoxication, and
dependence symptoms). SMW are much more likely than heterosexual women to report indicators of HD; for
example, they have 3-7 times higher odds of past-year alcohol dependence symptoms. The major explanation
for this disparity is SMW’s exposure to minority stressors (e.g., stigma, discrimination). However, research has
been largely focused on individual- (e.g., stigma consciousness) or interpersonal- (e.g., discrimination) level
factors. Relatively little research has considered structural-level minority stressors (e.g., discriminatory laws or
policies) and even less has simultaneously examined the impact of multiple levels of minority stress on HD in
SMW. Greater understanding of the dynamic, contextual, interrelated impact of multiple levels of minority
stressors can inform prevention and intervention strategies. In the proposed predoctoral fellowship, I will
investigate these relationships by combining data from the 21-year longitudinal Chicago Health and Life
Experiences of Women study (CHLEW; R01AA013328-14; T. Hughes, PI [primary mentor]) and publicly
available data related to structural level minority stress, using a previously validated index of state LGBT policy
environment. Guided by an integration of the Social Ecological and Minority Stress Models, the specific aims
are to: (1) Examine the associations of individual-level minority stressors (i.e., stigma consciousness,
internalized stigma/homophobia) with past year HD; (2) Examine the associations of interpersonal-level
minority stressors (i.e., sexual identity discrimination, family reactions to sexual identity disclosure) with past
year HD while accounting for individual-level minority stressors; and (3) Examine the association of structural-
level minority stressors (i.e., state LGBT policy environment) with past year HD while accounting for individual
and interpersonal-level minority stressors. Recognizing the diversity among SMW, for each of the three aims I
will also explore potential differences by sexual identity (i.e., lesbian, bisexual) and race/ethnicity (i.e., Black,
White, Latina). The proposed aims align with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
research goals and priorities to inform prevention strategies for alcohol misuse and disorders among
individuals across the lifespan and to investigate socio-cultural origins of alcohol use. Working with a
mentorship team of prominent researchers, and within the highly resourced environment of Columbia
University, I will develop expertise and skills in alcohol epidemiology, multiple levels of minority stress, and
advanced quantitative methods. I will gain experience and professional skills in the r...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10381820
- **Project number:** 1F31AA029847-01
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Zollweg
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $46,036
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2023-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10381820

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10381820, The Influence of Multilevel Minority Stress on Hazardous Drinking among Sexual Minority Women (1F31AA029847-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10381820. Licensed CC0.

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