Feeling socially rejected may lead to risky behaviour among the LGBTQ+ community

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-06-24 03:00

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A UK-based scientist says feeling socially rejected by friends, educators, employers or medical professionals may lead to increases in risky behaviour among the LGBTQ+ community. He found perceived social rejection was linked to increased consumption of tobacco (by 9.1%), alcohol (by 7.1%) and cannabis (by 12.5%), as well as unprotected sexual intercourse (by 6.5%). For tobacco, cannabis and alcohol, the link was stronger for men than women, and the scientist also found an increase in cannabis consumption occurred during tougher financial times (by 5.5%). He says the findings show how important it is that we tackle stigma against sexual minorities, because these risky behaviours are likely to have negative effects on people's mental and physical health down the track.