Are social supports always protective? A seven-city study on heavy drinking among sexual and gender minority young adults experiencing homelessness.

This study was not able to identify the protective role social supports may play in reducing SGM-YAEH's heavy drinking. Furthermore, receiving support from network members was correlated with elevated heavy drinking risks among this population. As heavy drinking prevention programs develop interventions: they should use affirming and trauma approaches to promote protective social ties, as research points to its association in reducing alcohol use disparities among SGM-YAEH.