TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding Alcohol and Marijuana Use among Sexual Minority Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
AU - Bochicchio, Lauren A.
AU - Drabble, Laurie A.
AU - Riggle, Ellen D.B.
AU - Munroe, Cat
AU - Wootton, Angie R.
AU - Hughes, Tonda L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual, queer) are at increased risk for heavy/hazardous drinking and marijuana use, which may be exacerbated by stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate its spread (e.g., sheltering at home). To explore their experiences and perceptions of alcohol and marijuana use in the context of COVID-19, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 16 SMW from a longitudinal study who previously reported being at least moderate drinkers to explore their experiences and perceptions of alcohol and marijuana use during the pandemic. We used descriptive phenomenological analysis to explore data from the interviews. Participants described how their alcohol/marijuana use intersected with the complex and changing context of the pandemic, revealing four themes: 1) losing and creating routine; 2) seeking recreation and relief; 3) connecting, reconnecting, and disconnecting; and 4) monitoring alcohol and marijuana use boundaries. Findings highlight the importance of fostering community supports and possible interventions informed by the experiences of SMW.
AB - Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual, queer) are at increased risk for heavy/hazardous drinking and marijuana use, which may be exacerbated by stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to mitigate its spread (e.g., sheltering at home). To explore their experiences and perceptions of alcohol and marijuana use in the context of COVID-19, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 16 SMW from a longitudinal study who previously reported being at least moderate drinkers to explore their experiences and perceptions of alcohol and marijuana use during the pandemic. We used descriptive phenomenological analysis to explore data from the interviews. Participants described how their alcohol/marijuana use intersected with the complex and changing context of the pandemic, revealing four themes: 1) losing and creating routine; 2) seeking recreation and relief; 3) connecting, reconnecting, and disconnecting; and 4) monitoring alcohol and marijuana use boundaries. Findings highlight the importance of fostering community supports and possible interventions informed by the experiences of SMW.
KW - Covid-19
KW - Sexual minority women
KW - alcohol use
KW - hazardous drinking
KW - marijuana use
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U2 - 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868187
DO - 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868187
M3 - Article
C2 - 33439793
AN - SCOPUS:85099454504
SN - 0091-8369
VL - 68
SP - 631
EP - 646
JO - Journal of Homosexuality
JF - Journal of Homosexuality
IS - 4
ER -