Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-15-2022
Abstract
PURPOSE
This study explored differences between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-housed and homeless students regarding substance use patterns on and off school grounds and the unique contribution of homelessness to substance use in school.
METHODS
Data were from the 2013-2015 California Healthy Kids Survey, a statewide survey of school protective factors and risk behaviors. A representative sample of 9th- and 11th-grade students (N = 20,337) was used. Comparisons between housed (n = 19,456) and homeless (doubled up: n = 715; acute homeless: n = 166) LGB students were conducted. We used chi-square tests to compare rates of lifetime, past-30-day, and in-school substance use and conducted multivariate logistic regression models for each substance use variables.
RESULTS
Chi-square test results indicated significant differences in rates of substance use among students experiencing homelessness (both categories) and housed LGB students. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students experiencing homelessness were more likely to report substance use off and on school grounds. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that LGB students who experience homelessness were significantly more likely to report recent and in-school substance use. For example, students experiencing acute homelessness were about 3 times as likely to report heavy episodic drinking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.13, 4.26) and more than 5 times as likely to smoke marijuana in school (AOR = 5.38; 95% CI = 3.46, 8.36), compared to housed LGB students.
CONCLUSIONS
LGB students who experience homelessness are at higher risk than housed LGB students of substance use on and off school grounds. Findings highlight the need to provide support in the school context for this subpopulation.
Recommended Citation
Moore H, De Pedro K. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students experiencing homelessness and substance use in the schoolcontext: A statewide study. J Sch Health. 2022; https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13246
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons, Other Education Commons, Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Journal of School Health in 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13246