Internalized Heterosexism, Self-warmth, Self-coldness, and Problematic Alcohol Use among Bisexual and Lesbian Women

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12759609
AutoresMadolyn S L Humphries (Charles Sturt University), Sue Mclaren (0000-0002-4121-2320, Charles Sturt University, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Páginas1-26
Data de publicação2025-10-16
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Bisexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1529-9716 • E-ISSN: 1529-9724
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15299716.2025.2570255
OpenAlexW4415258594
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas68

Problematic alcohol use is greater among sexual minority women than heterosexual women. Internalized heterosexism is a risk factor for problematic alcohol use among lesbian women, however, limited research extends to bisexual women. Self-compassion is a protective factor against internalized heterosexism and problematic alcohol use. However, separating self-compassion components (i.e., self-warmth and self-coldness) is encouraged due to their distinct relationships with psychopathology. The current study examined whether self-warmth and self-coldness moderated the relationship between internalized heterosexism and problematic alcohol use among bisexual and lesbian women and whether any moderating effects were conditional on sexual orientation. The Revised Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test were completed online by 239 bisexual and 310 lesbian women aged 18 to 68 years ( M = 29.19, SD = 8.95). No moderating effects emerged. Internalized heterosexism was not significantly related to problematic alcohol use, likely because of the limited variance among internalized heterosexism and problematic alcohol use scores in the sample. Higher levels of self-warmth and lower levels of self-coldness were associated with lower levels of problematic alcohol use. Interventions bolstering self-warmth and reducing self-coldness may protect against problematic alcohol use within both groups of women

Alcohol · Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test · Heterosexism · Heterosexuality · Lesbian · Psychological intervention · Sexual identity · Sexual minority · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology