Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Tobacco Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: Examining the Role of Mental, Social, and Community Health

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and tobacco use, to assess the intersection of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI), and to explore risk and protective aspects of mental, social, and community health. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the sexual and gender minorities (SGM) subsample (n = 1102) from a 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment. Nested binary logistic regression models were created to evaluate associations between ACEs and type of tobacco use: (1) cigarette use versus no cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, (2) ENDS use versus no cigarette or ENDS use, and (3) dual use versus use of either cigarettes or ENDS. Results: The sample population that reported four or more ACEs and ENDS use had statistically significant adjusted odds ratios (aORs) when adjusting the models for sociodemographic variables (aOR = 2.55; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.54-4.22), SOGI (aOR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.46-4.10), current mental health (aOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.32-3.75), and social and community health (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.30-3.71). The sample population that reported poor mental health had statistically significant aORs when adjusting the models for sociodemographic variables, SOGI, and mental health (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.32-3.89) and social and community health (aOR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.17-3.54). There was no statistically significant finding related to the other tobacco use variables (tobacco use and dual use). Conclusion: We found that high-risk ACEs were positively associated with cigarette use and ENDS use. SGM populations have differing experiences when considering community and social support.