Studies have shown that alcohol use and related outcomes are affected by one’s sex assigned at birth (SAAB). For example, females who drink excessively are more likely to experience alcohol related injuries than males. However, individuals’ gender identity has been shown to impact the magnitude of differences in alcohol-related outcomes across SAAB groups. Previous literature investigating the association between gender identity and alcohol outcomes has used conventional categorical gender measures which can mask gender diversity and gender differences in outcomes. This study examines continuous items of gender identity as an alternative to categorical indices of SAAB and gender in alcohol research among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 893 undergraduate students from the Midwest and Pacific Northwest of the United States. Students completed a survey that measured demographic information including race, ethnicity, campus size, and year in school. Participants completed categorical items focused on their SAAB and their present gender identity. Three continuous item scales were used to capture gender identity on a spectrum of femaleness to maleness. Lastly, respondents were asked to report past 30 day alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems. Data was analyzed using logistic regression models.
Results of the data analysis showed neither the continuous or categorical self-identification indices significantly predicted alcohol consumption in the past 30 days. However, some small associations were noted for current drinkers. For example, higher scores of femaleness and SAAB female were related to less quantity of alcohol consumed. Higher scores on maleness and bidirectional dimensions were related to greater alcohol consumption. Additionally, there was a positive association noted between maleness and bidirectional items and hazardous consumption on the AUDIT and a negative association with femaleness and being SAAB female or a cisgender woman.
Takeaway: Continuous measures of gender identity may be beneficial when examining the association between gender identity and drinking behaviors among college students.