PURPOSE: Alcohol usage in response to discrimination continues to be a critically important health behavior that remains largely unaddressed among young sexual minority men (YSMM). Thus, the current investigation seeks to address how daily racial discrimination events are associated with daily alcohol use behaviors among a diverse sample of YSMM.
METHODS: 108 YSMM engaged in a 5-day survey diary protocol between 2016 and 2019. Four 3-min momentary diaries and one 12-minute nightly diary was administered via an online survey each day. Multi-level logistic regression examined the association between daily racial discrimination and alcohol use.
RESULTS: Results indicated that those who reported experiencing racial discrimination had 2.89 the odds of using alcohol in the next moment as compared to those who did not (odds ratio (OR)=2.89, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Results suggest that racial discrimination has same-day implications for YSMM’s alcohol-related behaviors. Findings highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions considering unique experiences of YSMM at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities.
Daily racial discrimination is associated with daily alcohol use among young sexual minority men
Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health [Epub 2025 Aug 26]. doi: 10.1080/19359705.2025.2516477.