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Increases in Alcohol and Cannabis Use Associated with Deteriorating Mental Health among LGBTQ2+ Adults in the Context of COVID-19: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Canada, 2020–2021

Author

Listed:
  • Trevor Goodyear

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
    British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada)

  • Allie Slemon

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Chris Richardson

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada)

  • Anne Gadermann

    (School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
    The Human Early Learning Partnership, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Travis Salway

    (British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
    Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
    Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Shivinder Dhari

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Rod Knight

    (British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
    Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Emily Jenkins

    (School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, other queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2+) people are particularly at risk for the psycho-social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, though population-tailored research within this context remains limited. This study examines the extent of, and associations between, increased alcohol and cannabis use and deteriorating mental health among LGBTQ2+ adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data are drawn from LGBTQ2+ respondents to a repeated, cross-sectional survey administered to adults living in Canada (May 2020–January 2021). Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine associations between increased alcohol and cannabis use, and self-reported mental health, overall coping, and suicidal thoughts. Five-hundred and two LGBTQ2+ participants were included in this analysis. Of these, 24.5% reported increased alcohol use and 18.5% reported increased cannabis use due to the pandemic. In the adjusted analyses, increased alcohol use was associated with poor overall coping (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.28–4.07) and worse self-reported mental health (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.21–3.25), whereas increased cannabis use was associated with suicidal thoughts (OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.16–4.55). These findings underscore the need for population-tailored, integrated substance use and mental health supports to address interrelated increases in alcohol/cannabis use and worsening mental health among LGBTQ2+ adults, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Suggested Citation

  • Trevor Goodyear & Allie Slemon & Chris Richardson & Anne Gadermann & Travis Salway & Shivinder Dhari & Rod Knight & Emily Jenkins, 2021. "Increases in Alcohol and Cannabis Use Associated with Deteriorating Mental Health among LGBTQ2+ Adults in the Context of COVID-19: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Canada, 2020–2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12155-:d:682958
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van Ours, Jan C. & Williams, Jenny & Fergusson, David & Horwood, L. John, 2013. "Cannabis use and suicidal ideation," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 524-537.
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    3. Hottes, T.S. & Bogaert, L. & Rhodes, A.E. & Brennan, D.J. & Gesink, D., 2016. "Lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts among sexual minority adults by study sampling strategies: A systematic review and meta-analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(5), pages 1-12.
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