Rainbow SCOTS (Sober Curiosity Study)

Background

Drinking alcohol is a common and pleasurable social activity, but drinking too much or too frequently increases the risk of harm. Many studies have shown that LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people are at higher risk than cisgender heterosexual women of experiencing harm from alcohol. We’re interested in why that’s the case, and learning about what types of messages and interventions might be helpful for those who are interested in drinking less.

The study

Rainbow SCOTS is one of the first studies in Scotland to explore the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people, with a focus on alcohol. The study will have two parts: a series of focus groups (group discussions) with up to 42 participants, and an online survey. Both components will help us learn what messages and interventions might be helpful for LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people who want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink or become more curious about when, why, and where they drink. We also hope to learn what is most helpful in supporting individuals to make healthy choices while still enjoying life and social events.

We hope that this research will provide information that can be used to help improve LGBTQ+ people’s health here in Scotland and in other parts of the world.

Information and links for prospective study participants are coming soon.

This project is funded by the Columbia University School of Nursing (CUSON) Elaine L. Larson Global Development Fund.

Our team

At GCU, Professor Carol Emslie (Co-Director of the Research Centre for Health and Lead of the Substance Use Research Group), Dr David Whiteley and PhD researcher Beth Meadows.

The USA team includes Principal Investigator of the study, Professor Tonda Hughes and Dr Lauren Bochicchio, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, both from Columbia University in New York City, and Professor Laurie Drabble, from San Jose State University in California.

Photo shows Dr David Whiteley, Professor Laurie Drabble, Professor Carol Emslie, Professor Tonda Hughes and PhD Researcher, Beth Meadows at the Glasgow campus.

Contact

Please contact us at rainbowSCOTS@gcu.ac.uk if you would like more information about this study.

Related publications by the research team

Dimova E., O’Brien R., Elliott L., Frankis J. & Emslie C. (2022) What are LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland? A qualitative study of service users and service providers. Edinburgh: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP).; Available from: What are LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of alcohol services in Scotland? A qualitative study of service users and service providers. (shaap.org.uk)

Drabble L.A., Wootton A.R., Veldhuis C., Riggle E.D.B., Rostosky S.S., Lannutti P.J., Balsam K.F. & Hughes T.L. (2021) Perceived psychosocial impacts of legalized same-sex marriage: A scoping review of sexual minority adults’ experiences. PLoS ONE, 16(5), e0249125. Available from: Perceived psychosocial impacts of legalized same-sex marriage: A scoping review of sexual minority adults’ experiences | PLOS ONE

Emslie C., Lennox J.C., Ireland L. (2015) The social context of LGBT people’s drinking in Scotland. Edinburgh: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP). Available from: The social context of LGBT people's drinking in Scotland (shaap.org.uk)

Emslie C., Lennox J. & Ireland L (2017) The role of alcohol in identity construction among LGBT people: A qualitative study. Sociology of Health and Illness, 39(8), 1465-1479

Hughes T., Veldhuis C.B., Drabble L.A. & Wilsnack S.C. (2020) Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review. Plos One, 15(3), e0229869. Available from: Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review | PLOS ONE