# Peer Victimization and Risky Alcohol Use among Sexual Minority Youth: Understanding Mechanisms and Contexts

> **NIH NIH R01** · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · 2022 · $589,056

## Abstract

Abstract
 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning, and those youth with other sexual minority identities
(LGBQ+) report riskier alcohol use patterns than their heterosexual peers. This raises concerns that—like
patterns found in the general population—early, risky alcohol use may strongly predict later alcohol problems
and related deleterious health consequences (e.g., other substance abuse, victimization, poor physical and
mental health) that contribute to health disparities among sexual minority adults. The harmful effects of peer
victimization (PV; i.e. bullying and sexual harassment) on adolescent psychosocial functioning may be one
pathway through which LGBQ+ youth become involved in high-risk alcohol use. In adolescence, heterosexist
social norms are strongly enforced through bullying and homophobic sexual harassment. Alarmingly high
numbers of LGBQ+ youth experience homophobic peer aggression. Such experiences can lead to internalized
heterosexism and sexual minority stress. Sexual minority stress has been strongly associated with increased
alcohol use across the lifespan in sexual minority populations. Cross-sectional studies have shown that PV is
positively associated with alcohol and other substance use among LGBQ+ adolescents. However, the
mechanisms through which PV contributes to negative outcomes and the protective factors that ameliorate
those outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth are not well understood. Advances in understanding the effects of PV
on LGBQ+ adolescents have been hampered by a dearth of longitudinal and mixed methods studies that
include these youth in their samples. Using a mixed methods design, the proposed study will investigate the
acute daily and longitudinal effects of PV on LGBQ+ adolescent risky alcohol use, as well as identify potential
buffers and risk factors for these outcomes. Data from 500 adolescents (ages 15-17 years, 50% female gender
identity, diverse racial composition) will be collected using four longitudinal surveys (baseline, 6-, 12, and 18-
month follow-ups), two bursts of daily reports (4-weeks each), and qualitative interviews. Informed by sexual
minority stress and psychological mediation theories, the proposed study aims to: (1) identify the psychosocial
mechanisms linking PV with alcohol and other substance use among LGBQ+ youth; (2) understand the daily
associations between PV and alcohol and substance use; and (3) examine the contexts in which LGBQ+ youth
experience PV and gain insight into the psychosocial factors related to PV and substance use. The proposed
study utilizes a novel integrative conceptual model that incorporates extant knowledge from research on PV
and substance use conducted with heterosexual youth along with factors identified in the LGBQ+ literature,
including sexual minority stress and the psychological mediation framework, to clarify the processes implicated
in substance use by LGBQ+ youth. Results from this study are critically needed to understand the pathways,
proce...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10485303
- **Project number:** 5R01AA028810-02
- **Recipient organization:** STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy L Hequembourg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $589,056
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-10 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10485303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10485303, Peer Victimization and Risky Alcohol Use among Sexual Minority Youth: Understanding Mechanisms and Contexts (5R01AA028810-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10485303. Licensed CC0.

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