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Study to examine alcohol problems from sexual identity perspective
By KATHLEEN WEAVER
Reporter Contributor
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has awarded a $579,325 grant to Amy Hequembourg of UB's Research Institute on Addictions to study the role of gender and sexual identity in alcohol use and victimization.
The Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will support five years of both research and professional development.
"The research component, known as the COPE Study, will include recruitment of a total of 400 gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women (GLBs) to discuss alcohol use and interpersonal violence, including childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and intimate partner violence," Hequembourg explained. COPE stands for Conversations on Personal Experiences.
There are a range of risk and protective factors associated with alcohol use and victimization among individuals who face stress associated with social stigmatization of their sexual identities, according to Hequembourg. She will investigate social support systems, involvement in GLB community activities and relationships with family, friends and coworkers.
"Understanding risk and protective factors for this population could greatly enhance the effectiveness of alcohol and victimization prevention, early intervention and treatment efforts," Hequembourg said.
The professional development component of the award includes training in advanced statistical analysis and methods for combining qualitative and quantitative approaches in research. Hequembourg's mentors include RIA aenior research scientists Kathleen A. Parks; R. Lorraine Collins, who is also a research professor in the Department of Psychology; and Michael R. Frone, who is also a research associate professor in the psychology department. They will provide collective expertise in addictions research, victimization studies and advanced statistical analyses.
Hequembourg recently completed the NIAAA-funded postdoctoral associate program for research training on alcohol etiology and treatment at RIA.