Publication Date
7-16-2026
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Women S Health
Volume
22
DOI
10.1177/17455057261467913
Abstract
Background: Although global drinking rates are declining, this trend is less evident among women, with LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people at elevated risk for hazardous drinking. In addition to minority stress (e.g., stigma, discrimination), drinking culture and social norms likely shape alcohol use within these groups, yet remain underexplored as potential intervention points. Objective: This study was part of a larger multi-country project on alcohol use among LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals. Because online resources have been found to appeal to stigmatized groups, we aimed to examine LGBTQ+ women’s and nonbinary people’s experiences with alcohol use in Aotearoa New Zealand, identify barriers and facilitators to reducing drinking, and explore their views on features of online interventions that may be acceptable and effective. Design &; Methods: From July to October 2024, we conducted a web-based study using survey methods with LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary participants in Aotearoa New Zealand who drank alcohol at least once a week on average in the past six months. Results: Participants (N = 108; ages 18–69, M = 34, SD = 13) primarily identified as cisgender women (88%), lesbian (60%), and New Zealand European (56.5%). Many had attempted to cut back on their alcohol use, motivated primarily by health, harm reduction, and cost. Support for reducing alcohol consumption included social support, social alternatives to bars and clubs, and No or Lo alcohol beverage options. Open text responses suggested that online interventions were seen as potentially valuable if they focused on health and wellness rather than pathology and abstinence. Conclusion: Affirming health-focused online interventions tailored for LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people in New Zealand that center sober-curious empowerment, may help reduce harmful alcohol use.
Funding Sponsor
Columbia University
Keywords
alcohol use, Aotearoa New Zealand, intervention development, LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary people, online interventions, public health, sober curiosity
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Department
Social Work
Recommended Citation
Tonda L. Hughes, Jillian R. Scheer, Lauren Bochicchio, Laurie A. Drabble, Carol Emslie, David Whiteley, Belinda Lunnay, Paul R. Ward, and Antonia C. Lyons. "Sober Curiosity Among LGBTQ+ Women and Non-Binary People in Aotearoa New Zealand" Women S Health (2026). https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057261467913
