Binge Drinking and Internalized Sexual Stigma among Italian Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young Adults

BACKGROUND – Literature has studied the relation between youth alcohol consumption and sex- ual orientation, showing that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people are at increased risk to develop alcohol-related problems compared to heterosexuals. AIM – Our study aims to describe alcohol use patterns in relation to alcohol expectancies, internalised sexual stigma and sensation seeking and to highlight the speci c risk factors that sexual minority subgroups face. DESIGN – A survey was administered in order to examine drinking habits, background information and levels of internalised sexual stigma and of sensation seeking in 468 LGB youths. According to the alcohol consumption, the sample was divided into three groups: social, binge and heavy drink- ers. RESULTS – Data showed that bisexual youths were at most risk of heavy drinking compared to lesbian and gay participants. Moreover, LGB heavy drinkers reported higher levels of sensa- tion seeking, earlier age of rst alcohol consumption and more positive drinking expectancies compared to binge and social drinkers. Bisexual male heavy drinkers also showed more social con dence alcohol expectancies while bisexual female heavy drinkers showed more sensation seeking. CONCLUSION – Bisexual youths are at most risk of alcohol abuse. It is conceivable that these ndings are related to the peculiar discrimination to which bisexual people are subject. Practical implications for the present study are discussed.