"When You Can't Hold on to Society, You Hold on to Something Else": A Mixed-Methods Study on Substance Use Among LGBTQIA+ People in Türkiye.
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| Title: | "When You Can't Hold on to Society, You Hold on to Something Else": A Mixed-Methods Study on Substance Use Among LGBTQIA+ People in Türkiye. |
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| Authors: | Kara, Yunus (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Substance Use & Misuse. 2026, Vol. 61 Issue 5, p707-717. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Substance abuse, Scale analysis (Psychology), Trans men, Cronbach's alpha, Gender identity, Psychology of LGBTQ+ people, Interviewing, Questionnaires, Human sexuality, Gay men, Affinity groups, Judgment sampling, Descriptive statistics, Emotions, Psychological adaptation, Family relations, Anxiety, Experience, Surveys, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Metropolitan areas, Analysis of variance, Social networks, Data analysis software, Trans women, Alcohol drinking, Discrimination (Sociology), Social support, Mental depression |
| Geographic Terms: | Turkey |
| Abstract: | Background: Substance use among LGBTQIA+ people is shaped by complex psychosocial and structural factors, particularly within contexts of social marginalization. In Türkiye, little is known about how intersecting identities affect the substance use risks. Objective: This mixed-methods study explored the prevalence and contextual dynamics of substance use among LGBTQIA+ people in Türkiye, integrating quantitative data (n = 570) and in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 24). Results: Quantitative findings indicated that substance use risk significantly varied across gender identity and sexual orientation. Men, trans women, and gay participants exhibited higher scores on standardized screening tools (API-RSF-Alcohol, API-RSF-Drug, and ASSIST), suggesting the elevated vulnerability. Qualitative analysis identified three main themes: the emotional roots of substance use, its associated psychosocial challenges, and strategies of resilience and solidarity. Participants described substance use not as an isolated behavior but as a coping mechanism amid emotional turmoil, identity struggles, and systemic discrimination. They also reported facing institutional barriers in accessing formal support systems, while community-based solidarity emerged as a vital resource. Conclusions: Findings highlight the urgent need for intersectional and culturally responsive substance use interventions. Addressing both individual and structural dimensions—such as stigma, identity-based rejection, and service inaccessibility—is essential for effective prevention and care. The study fills a critical gap in Türkiye's literature by centering LGBTQIA+ voices and offers actionable insights for mental health practitioners, harm reduction services, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Substance use among LGBTQIA+ people is shaped by complex psychosocial and structural factors, particularly within contexts of social marginalization. In Türkiye, little is known about how intersecting identities affect the substance use risks. Objective: This mixed-methods study explored the prevalence and contextual dynamics of substance use among LGBTQIA+ people in Türkiye, integrating quantitative data (n = 570) and in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 24). Results: Quantitative findings indicated that substance use risk significantly varied across gender identity and sexual orientation. Men, trans women, and gay participants exhibited higher scores on standardized screening tools (API-RSF-Alcohol, API-RSF-Drug, and ASSIST), suggesting the elevated vulnerability. Qualitative analysis identified three main themes: the emotional roots of substance use, its associated psychosocial challenges, and strategies of resilience and solidarity. Participants described substance use not as an isolated behavior but as a coping mechanism amid emotional turmoil, identity struggles, and systemic discrimination. They also reported facing institutional barriers in accessing formal support systems, while community-based solidarity emerged as a vital resource. Conclusions: Findings highlight the urgent need for intersectional and culturally responsive substance use interventions. Addressing both individual and structural dimensions—such as stigma, identity-based rejection, and service inaccessibility—is essential for effective prevention and care. The study fills a critical gap in Türkiye's literature by centering LGBTQIA+ voices and offers actionable insights for mental health practitioners, harm reduction services, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10826084 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10826084.2025.2575067 |
