Study Population

Data from the 2015 publicly available National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed, which is the first year that NSDUH included items asking about sexual identity and attraction. NSDUH is an ongoing cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized individuals in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Data are derived from a nationally representative probability sample of populations living in households, non-institutional group quarters (e.g., dormitories), and shelters, obtained through four stages. Surveys were administered via computer-assisted interviewing conducted by an interviewer and audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI). Sample weights were provided by NSDUH to address unit- and individual-level nonresponse. Further information on sampling and survey methods can be found elsewhere.²⁶ The weighted interview response rate was 69.7%. A two-sample strategy was used in order to avoid multicollinearity in models because there is extensive overlap between sexual identity and sexual attraction. For example, 94% of those identifying as heterosexual also reported being only attracted to the opposite sex. This study focuses on adults who provided data on sexual identity (n=42,802) or sexual attraction (n=42,356).