STRESS AND IDENTITY FOR LGBTQ+ HEALTH: MODELING RISK AND RESILIENCE
2024

Understanding Aging in LGBTQ+ Adults

Sample size: 91 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Clancy Erin, Guest M Aaron, Dhawan Aanika, Koffer Rachel

Primary Institution: Arizona State University

Hypothesis

How do lesbian and gay adults view their own aging and what psychosocial factors affect their experiences?

Conclusion

Lesbian women have better self-perceptions of aging compared to gay men, and more stressful daily experiences negatively impact self-perceptions of aging.

Supporting Evidence

  • Lesbian women reported better self-perceptions of aging than gay men.
  • Greater outness was associated with better self-perceptions of aging.
  • LGBTQ+ community engagement did not relate to self-perceptions of aging.
  • More stressful experiences in daily life were associated with worse self-perceptions of aging.

Takeaway

This study looks at how older LGBTQ+ people feel about aging and what makes them feel good or bad about it.

Methodology

Participants completed questionnaires on health, perceptions of aging, community engagement, identity congruence, and stressful experiences.

Participant Demographics

45 gay and 46 lesbian adults, ages 55-87, 70% white.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3726

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