Pet companionship and binge drinking in the context of identity-related adversity: A study of LGBTQ+ emerging adults

Abstract

Background: Emerging adulthood (ages 18–25) is marked by developmental transitions, increased autonomy, and identity exploration. It is also a period of elevated risk for health-compromising behaviors, including binge drinking. LGBTQ+ emerging adults face higher rates of binge drinking, largely attributable to identity-related adversity such as discrimination and victimization. Companion animals may offer emotional support and mitigate the impacts of adversity through mechanisms such as emotional regulation, social buffering, and stress relief, yet their role in substance use behaviors remains unclear. This study examined associations between identity-related adversity (e.g., victimization, discrimination, rejection), aspects of the human-animal bond (emotional comfort and pet attachment), and recent binge drinking among LGBTQ+ emerging adults living with pets. We also tested whether pet attachment moderated the association between adversity and binge drinking. Methods: The sample included 203 LGBTQ+ emerging adults (Mage = 21.62, SD = 2.08) recruited from university and community settings. Participants completed validated measures of binge drinking, identity-related adversity, pet attachment (Pet Attachment and Life Impact Scale), emotional comfort from pets (Comfort from Companion Animals Scale), and social support. Multivariable logistic regression models tested direct and moderating effects of pet attachment and comfort on the relationship between minority stressors and binge drinking. Results: Approximately 30% of participants reported binge drinking in the past 2 weeks. Victimization was significantly associated with increased odds of binge drinking (OR = 1.33, p = 0.01). Pet attachment and comfort were not independently associated with binge drinking, nor did they moderate the adversity–binge drinking association. Conclusions: These findings build on prior research that identified substance-specific associations between pet attachment and marijuana – but not nicotine – use, suggesting the need to explore mechanisms that may explain divergent patterns across different types of substances.