How local laws and community attitudes affect alcohol use among LGBTQ+ young adults

The Role of Local Structural Stigma in Alcohol Related Inequities among SGM Young Adults

NIH-funded research Pacific Institute for Res and Evaluation · NIH-11094915

This project looks at whether local policies, everyday treatment, and personal feelings of stigma are linked to drinking and alcohol problems among LGBTQ+ young adults in midsized California cities.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPacific Institute for Res and Evaluation NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Beltsville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094915 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll be asked to complete brief surveys each day for two weeks about your mood, experiences with others, and any drinking. The research team will gather information about local LGBTQ+ policies and resources in 33 midsized California cities and link those city-level measures to participants' daily reports. By combining community-level data with day-to-day experiences, the study aims to show how local stigma, interpersonal mistreatment, and internal feelings relate to alcohol use. Results could point to community and policy changes that better support healthier alcohol use for LGBTQ+ young adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are LGBTQ+ young adults (about 18–29 years old) who live in one of the selected midsized California cities and can complete daily surveys.

Not a fit: People under 18 or over 29, those living outside the 33 California cities, or those who are not part of sexual minority groups are unlikely to be included or to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify local policies and supports that reduce harmful drinking and related problems among LGBTQ+ young adults.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows social stress and interpersonal bias relate to higher drinking in sexual minority groups, but linking local policies, daily experiences, and drinking together at the city level is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Beltsville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.