THE RELEVANCE OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO SUBSTANCE-ABUSE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG COLLEGE-STUDENTS

Substance use patterns of 39 gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) students and a matched control of 156 heterosexual students were followed for 4 years upon college matriculation. Participants were primarily Caucasi an (95%), male (62%), and of traditional age (mean age = 18.5). GLB st udents were more alcohol involved than heterosexual students, but not more drug involved or psychologically distressed (as measured by the B rief Symptom Inventory; BSI). The relationship between BSI scores and alcohol dependence was stronger for GLB students.