Si no hay bebidas, no hay fiesta: A qualitative exploration of alcohol use among immigrant sexual minority latinos in North Carolina

Background: Little is known about alcohol use among sexual minority Latinos, a sub-group that includes gay men, men who have sex with men who do not self-identify as gay, and gender variant or transgender men. Because recent research in North Carolina suggested high levels of risky drinking among sexual minority Latinos, we sought to better understand the factors shaping alcohol use.

Methods: Using grounded theory methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews in Spanish or English with 15 sexual minority Latinos. We identified themes, explored relationships, and developed a conceptual model of alcohol use in this population. We maximized credibility by asking 4 participants and 3 key informants to review and respond to our findings.

Results: Our conceptual model included life course and contextual determinants of alcohol use. Participants characterized drinking as a fundamentally social activity and an important part of many social interactions and celebrations. While most men acknowledged that some Latinos may drink to cope with stressors, few identified it as a personal coping strategy. Alcohol use was linked to pro-drinking family norms during childhood, cultural expectations for alcohol use, and socializing with other sexual minority Latinos. Drinking was discouraged by religiosity, witnessing negative alcohol-related outcomes among family members, increasing age, and potential legal consequences, such as police involvement and the risk of deportation.

Discussion: Our findings provide a fuller understanding of alcohol use among sexual minority Latinos, a vulnerable sub-group about whom little is known. We identify factors that could be leveraged for novel risk-reduction interventions.