Abstract
Substance use disorders are more prevalent in the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) population. Minority stress has been found to be predictive of problematic substance use in this population. However, problematic substance use in nurses is equal to that of the general population. Given the critical job responsibilities of nurses, problematic substance use is potentially a population health risk. Yet, little is known about problematic substance use in LGB-identified nurses. This study aims to better understand the relationship between problematic substance use, minority stress and general stress in a population of LGB-identified nurses. The incidence of problematic substance use was higher in this population of LGB-identified nurses than previously described in either the general population of nurses or the general LGB population. Demographic variables and minority status were not associated withproblematic tobacco use but had variable associations with problematic alcohol and illicit substance use. Components of Meyer's minority stress model were associated with problematic tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use, but general stress was not. Problematic substance use is prevalent amongst LGB-identified nurses and poses a health risk to that population as well as the patients they serve. Minority stress, not general stress, was responsible for some variability in problematic substance use. This research suggests that community involvement and attachment may play a significant role in this association.