The Correlates and Consequences of Sexual Minority Status Trajectories on Substance Abuse and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Longitudinal Analysis

Bethany Everett, University of Colorado at Boulder

Sexual minority adolescents have been shown to have higher rates of substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than their non-sexual minority peers. These findings are often limited, however, as they are based on small, cross sectional samples. This paper addresses these limitations by examining the correlates and consequences of sexual minority status trajectories on substance abuse and STIs. I find that at different points in time, different sexual minority status trajectories are associated with increased risk of substance abuse and STI diagnosis. This research makes important contributions to the literature by identifying previously ignored sub-populations with particularly high risks of both substance abuse and STI diagnosis. Further, I illuminate several important family, neighborhood, school and individual factors that mediate the relationship between sexual minority status and substance abuse and STIs.