Associations Between Social Contexts of Alcohol and Cannabis Use and Perceived Descriptive Norms in Sexual Minority Women and Gender Diverse Individuals Assigned Female at Birth

ABSTRACT Background Existing literature primarily uses minority stress theory as an explanation for disparities in alcohol and cannabis use affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. Far less research has examined the roles of other factors, such as social norms. Elevated perceived descriptive norms for similar peer groups have been linked to individuals' increased alcohol and cannabis use, making descriptive norms a potential key risk factor for problematic alcohol and cannabis use among SGM groups. No studies to date have examined the development of descriptive norms in SGM people. The current study aimed to further the understanding of the development of descriptive norms for alcohol and cannabis use in sexual minority women and gender diverse (SMWGD) individuals assigned female at birth by examining cross‐sectional and prospective associations between frequency of alcohol and cannabis use with other SGM people and perceived descriptive alcohol and cannabis norms using regression models. Methods We used data from a baseline survey, follow‐up survey, and a 30‐day EMA period from a longitudinal study of 409 SMWGD individuals ages 18–25 years old. Results Drinking more frequently with SGM individuals during the EMA period was cross‐sectionally associated with higher perceived frequency of drinking among SMWGD individuals at baseline and prospectively predicted increases in the perceived frequency of drinking among SMWGD individuals from baseline to follow‐up. None of the concurrent or prospective associations between frequency of using cannabis with SGM individuals during the EMA period and descriptive norms for cannabis use among SMWGD individuals were significant. Conclusions These findings provide important information about the development of descriptive norms for alcohol and cannabis use in SMWGD individuals, which can be used to inform earlier norms‐based substance use interventions in this population. Predicting elevated descriptive norms in this population also provides novel intervention targets for norms‐based interventions.