SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND AGING: A US–ENGLAND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SAME-SEX AND DIFFERENT-SEX HOUSEHOLDS
2024

Comparing Health and Income of Same-Sex and Different-Sex Households

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Azar Ariel, Becares Laia, Kneale Dylan

Primary Institution: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

Hypothesis

How do health, income, and housing situations differ between same-sex and opposite-sex households in the US and England?

Conclusion

Individuals in same-sex households face unique challenges related to health and economic well-being compared to those in opposite-sex households.

Supporting Evidence

  • Same-sex households face distinct challenges in chronic health conditions and mental health status.
  • Disparities in housing tenure and retirement income are more pronounced in the U.S. than in England.
  • The study highlights the cumulative impact of national contexts on aging individuals in same-sex relationships.

Takeaway

This study looks at how people in same-sex relationships have different health and money problems than those in different-sex relationships, especially in the US and England.

Methodology

The study uses data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

Limitations

The study acknowledges data limitations due to the underrepresentation of sexual minorities in large nationally representative studies.

Participant Demographics

The study considers relationship quality, gender, age, urban and rural living environments, and employment status.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0112

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