Loneliness Among Minority Ethnic and LGB Populations in the UK
Author Information
Author(s): Victor Christina, Rippon Isla
Primary Institution: Brunel University London
Hypothesis
How do experiences of loneliness differ among older adults from LGB and minority ethnic communities in the UK?
Conclusion
Older adults from LGB and minority ethnic communities experience higher levels of persistent loneliness compared to their heterosexual and white counterparts.
Supporting Evidence
- A higher proportion of LGB respondents were consistently lonely compared to heterosexual respondents.
- Respondents from black, Asian, and other ethnic minorities were more likely to be consistently lonely than white respondents.
- Socio-demographic predictors for loneliness differ between the groups studied and their white or heterosexual counterparts.
Takeaway
This study found that older people who are gay or from minority ethnic backgrounds feel lonelier than others.
Methodology
The study used data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study and measured loneliness with the UCLA scale.
Limitations
Shortcomings in data available on these groups limit the ability to analyze risk factors effectively.
Participant Demographics
Participants included older adults aged 50+, with 1.7% identifying as LGB and varying percentages from different ethnic backgrounds.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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