title: A Population-Based Study of Alcohol Use in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Unions.
abstract: The present study advances research on union status and health by providing a first look at alcohol use differentials among different-sex and same-sex married and cohabiting individuals using nationally representative population-based data (National Health Interview Surveys 1997-2011, N = 181,581). The results showed that both same-sex and different-sex married groups reported lower alcohol use than both same-sex and different-sex cohabiting groups. The results further revealed that same-sex and different-sex married individuals reported similar levels of alcohol use, whereas same-sex and different-sex cohabiting individuals reported similar levels of alcohol use. Drawing on marital advantage and minority stress approaches, the findings suggest that it is cohabitation status-not same-sex status-that is associated with elevated alcohol rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology and Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexualities Studies, 164 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue Mall, Columbus OH 43210-1222 ( reczek.2@osu.edu ).
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reczek
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, 316 Berkey Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Cincinnati, 1011 Crosley (ML:0378), Cincinnati, OH 45221-0378.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiker
keywords: alcohol use; cohabitation; gay and lesbian; marriage