School connectedness and adult support reduced substance use among LGB youth in California | Research

The takeaway

Higher levels of school connectedness and adult support in schools were associated with lower odds of marijuana and other substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, even after accounting for school victimization.

Read this if you're interested in what schools can do to reduce substance use among LGBTQ+ students.

Adult support in schools: 17% lower odds of marijuana use on school property for LGB youth

What the researchers found

Analysis of California Healthy Kids Survey data (2013-2015) revealed that school protective factors were significantly associated with lower substance use among LGB youth. Higher school connectedness was associated with 22% decreased odds of inhalant use and 25% decreased odds of prescription pain medication use in the past 30 days.

Higher levels of adult support in school were associated with 17% decreased odds of marijuana use on school property. These associations held even after controlling for school victimization, a well-established risk factor for substance use among LGB youth.

The findings suggest that positive school environments can buffer against substance use risk even in the presence of bullying and harassment.

Why it matters

LGB youth use substances at higher rates than heterosexual peers, often attributed to minority stress and victimization. This study shifts the focus from risk to protection, showing that school environments characterized by connection and supportive adults can reduce substance use even among this high-risk group.

The numbers in context

School connectedness: 22% decreased odds of inhalant use (AOR 0.78), 25% decreased odds of prescription pain medication use (AOR 0.75). Adult support: 17% decreased odds of marijuana use on school property (AOR 0.83).

How the study worked

Secondary analysis of the 2013-2015 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). Examined associations between two school protective factors (school connectedness and adult support) and past 30-day and in-school use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, prescription pain medications, and other illegal drugs among LGB youth, controlling for school victimization.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Self-reported substance use may be underreported. The survey does not capture the quality or type of adult support. LGB identification was self-reported and may not capture all sexual minority youth. California may differ from less supportive states.

How to read the evidence

Large state survey with statistical controls for victimization. Strong sample but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.

When this study was published

Published in 2017. School-based protective factors for sexual minority youth remain an important focus of prevention research.

The bigger picture

Most research on LGB youth substance use focuses on what goes wrong (bullying, rejection, minority stress). This study provides actionable positive data: schools that invest in connectedness and adult support can reduce substance use among their most vulnerable students. These are modifiable factors that schools can address through policy and training.

Questions still open

Which specific aspects of school connectedness matter most? Do these protective effects persist into adulthood? Would similar results be found for transgender youth?

Common questions

Why do LGB youth use more substances?

Research attributes higher substance use rates among LGB youth primarily to minority stress, including experiences of discrimination, bullying, and rejection. This study shows that positive school environments can help counteract these stressors.

What can schools do?

The study found that school connectedness (students feeling they belong) and adult support (having caring adults at school) both reduced substance use. Schools can foster these through inclusive policies, training staff to be supportive, and creating welcoming environments for all students.

Read the original research

School Protective Factors and Substance Use Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adolescents in California Public Schools.

LGBT health, 4(3), 210-216

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

De Pedro, Kris Tunac; Esqueda, Monica Christina; Gilreath, Tamika D. (2017). School Protective Factors and Substance Use Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adolescents in California Public Schools.. LGBT health, 4(3), 210-216. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2016.0132