A mixed-methods approach to understanding stress and hazardous drinking among same-sex female couples

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT. Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) are 6-7 times as likely as heterosexual women to meet criteria for alcohol use disorder, indicating a disproportionately high risk of hazardous drinking (HD) and associated negative health outcomes. SMW's elevated HD risk is believed to be caused, in large part, by lifetime exposure to multiple and chronic stressors. Although the association between stress and HD is well-established, little is known about how relationship characteristics influence stress and HD among SMW. Intimate relationships confer many benefits and are protective against stress-related negative health outcomes. Conversely, relationship stress may lead to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as HD. The proposed study aims to understand the role of HD within same-sex female couples using both qualitative and quantitative data at both the individual- and couple-levels. The specific aims for the K99 phase are to: 1) Explore associations among couple-level relationship factors, stressors, and HD; and 2) Identify individual-level experiences within same-sex female couples that influence drinking behaviors. The major goals of this Pathway to Independence Award are the acceleration and completion of Dr. Cindy Veldhuis' training in alcohol-related research and the launching of her career as an independent scientist with a tenure-track assistant professor position. Dr. Veldhuis is a psychologist and a postdoctoral fellow funded by an NIH/NIAAA F32 National Service Research Award (F32AA025816) at Columbia University. The two-year K99 phase will complete Dr. Veldhuis' training in sexual-orientation-related health disparities in HD. With mentorship, Dr. Veldhuis will: 1) recruit and interview a sample of same-sex female couples (N=50 couples) from the New York City area; 2) use a mixed-methods approach to examine HD and stress within couples to understand predictors of HD in this at-risk population; 3) attend courses, seminars, and conferences related to alcohol use and misuse, sexual minority health, mixed-methods and dyadic analyses, and professional development; 4) lead her own study on SMW's health; 5) disseminate her findings; and 6) secure a tenure-track faculty position at a research-intensive university. The proposed primary mentor Dr. John Pachankis, co-mentors Dr. LeBlanc and Dr. Hughes, and advisory panel members Drs. Stone, George, Keyes, and Schrimshaw are experts in key components of the proposed K99/R00 and collectively provide expertise ideally suited to facilitate the successful completion of the proposed training and research activities. Columbia University is one of the world's most respected research centers and a world-class institution, and thus has the resources needed for successful completion of the training (K99) phase of this proposed award. The three-year R00 phase will allow Dr. Veldhuis to: 1) recruit a geographically and demographically diverse national sample of same-sex female couples (N = 300 couples); 2) test a theoretical framework informed by the K99 findings using empirically validated individual- and couple-level measures; 3) establish her program of research and laboratory; and 4) submit an R01 to NIH/NIAAA. The proposed study extends findings from Dr. Veldhuis' F32 to understand how individual- and couple- level characteristics of same-sex relationships influence HD and will provide preliminary data for her R01 application.