A Qualitative Examination of the Impact of Sexual Assault on Alcohol Use among Bisexual+ and Heterosexual Survivors: Implications for Public Health
1
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
2
Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2680
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Bisexual+ (i.e., attraction to multiple genders) women report elevated rates of heavy drinking relative to heterosexual women. Women with histories of sexual assault (versus those without) also report elevated rates of heavy drinking. We conducted a qualitative examination of the impact of sexual assault on survivors’ alcohol use following their sexual assault experience(s).
METHODS:
Semi-structured 60-minute interviews were conducted with 45 women (i.e., female identifying, or gender nonconforming), ages 18-29, who identified as bisexual+ (n = 24) or heterosexual (n = 21), and endorsed a history of sexual assault since age 14 in the United States. Interview transcripts were double-coded, and thematic analyses were conducted. A priori codes were developed and refined, and identified themes were compared by subgroup.
RESULTS:
Bisexual+ and heterosexual survivors reported alcohol use increased following sexual assault experience(s), and this was more salient among bisexual+ women. Among women who experienced an increase in drinking, many reported later returning to baseline drinking levels (i.e., before the sexual assault). It was common to not experience any changes in drinking following a sexual assault, and this was more salient among heterosexual women relative to bisexual+ women. Heterosexual women were more likely to decrease/stop drinking relative to bisexual+ women.
CONCLUSIONS:
Study findings emphasize differences/similarities in changes in alcohol use following a sexual assault experience. Understanding why some women increase alcohol use versus others decrease/stop drinking completely following a sexual assault is significant for the treatment of survivors and their health. Bisexual+ women may benefit from accessible alcohol resources following a traumatic event. Current work may help inform new policies on how to increase care to bisexual+ sexual assault survivors who consume any amount of alcohol. Policies focused on improving access to culturally-specific resources may reduce subsequent risk for risky alcohol use or sexual revictimization.
Bisexual+ (i.e., attraction to multiple genders) women report elevated rates of heavy drinking relative to heterosexual women. Women with histories of sexual assault (versus those without) also report elevated rates of heavy drinking. We conducted a qualitative examination of the impact of sexual assault on survivors’ alcohol use following their sexual assault experience(s).
METHODS:
Semi-structured 60-minute interviews were conducted with 45 women (i.e., female identifying, or gender nonconforming), ages 18-29, who identified as bisexual+ (n = 24) or heterosexual (n = 21), and endorsed a history of sexual assault since age 14 in the United States. Interview transcripts were double-coded, and thematic analyses were conducted. A priori codes were developed and refined, and identified themes were compared by subgroup.
RESULTS:
Bisexual+ and heterosexual survivors reported alcohol use increased following sexual assault experience(s), and this was more salient among bisexual+ women. Among women who experienced an increase in drinking, many reported later returning to baseline drinking levels (i.e., before the sexual assault). It was common to not experience any changes in drinking following a sexual assault, and this was more salient among heterosexual women relative to bisexual+ women. Heterosexual women were more likely to decrease/stop drinking relative to bisexual+ women.
CONCLUSIONS:
Study findings emphasize differences/similarities in changes in alcohol use following a sexual assault experience. Understanding why some women increase alcohol use versus others decrease/stop drinking completely following a sexual assault is significant for the treatment of survivors and their health. Bisexual+ women may benefit from accessible alcohol resources following a traumatic event. Current work may help inform new policies on how to increase care to bisexual+ sexual assault survivors who consume any amount of alcohol. Policies focused on improving access to culturally-specific resources may reduce subsequent risk for risky alcohol use or sexual revictimization.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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