Understanding Alcohol and Marijuana Use among Sexual Minority Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

• Published in: Journal of homosexuality Vol. 68; no. 4; pp. 631 - 646
• Main Authors: Bochicchio, Lauren A., Drabble, Laurie A., Riggle, Ellen D.B., Munroe, Cat, Wootton, Angie R., Hughes, Tonda L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 21-03-2021; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Alcohol; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol use; Bisexuality; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - psychology; Drinking behavior; Female; hazardous drinking; Homosexuality, Female; Humans; Interviews; Lesbianism; Longitudinal Studies; Marijuana; Marijuana Use; Middle Aged; Minority groups; Pandemics; Perceptions; Qualitative research; SARS-CoV-2; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual minority women; Substance abuse; Women; Women - psychology; Sexual minority women; Covid-19; alcohol use; hazardous drinking; marijuana use
• ISSN: 0091-8369; 1540-3602
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868187

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.