Physical and mental well-being, risk and protective factors among older lesbians /gay women in the United Kingdom during the initial COVID-19 2020 lockdown

Self-Disclosure of Loneliness by LGBTQ+ Twitter Users During COVID-19

Mental health in LGBTQ+ community is often challenged by stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. The "social distancing" public health measures during COVID-19 epidemic have exacerbated the trend. During the pandemic, many took to social media as an outlet for sharing their feelings and in search of connection. Social media may help alleviate loneliness-an increasingly prevalent condition associated with both physical and mental health issues. In this study, we examine 147,736 Twitter posts mentioning loneliness by users who self-identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, posted before and during the COVID-19 lockdowns. We find that, compared to the year before COVID-19, these users posted 67% more loneliness self-disclosures during the first year of COVID-19. Examining the emotional content of these tweets, we find frequent references to depression, dysphoria, and suicidal ideation. During COVID-19, the users mentioned more "pain" and "numbness" in association with the lack of social and physical contact. However, many found Twitter to be a safe space to express these feelings. The replies to these disclosures were rare: only about 29% received one. Using a large dataset of self-disclosures, we reveal quantitatively and qualitatively the disclosure around loneliness by LGBTQ+ users at an unprecedented time of social isolation.

A Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Health of LGBTQIA+ Older Adults: Identification of Risk and Protective Health Factors and Development of a Model of Health and Disease

It is important to understand the differential impact of COVID-19 on the health of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and people with other sexual orientations and forms of gender expression (LGBTQIA+). The objective of this study is to systematically review the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQIA+ older adults' health including risk and protective factors. We reviewed a total of 167 records including LGBTQIA+ older adults published since 2019. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts and extracted information of 21 full-text records meeting inclusion criteria using COVIDENCE software. The results show that the negative health consequences are exacerbated by personal risk (e.g., perceived homo/transphobia and ageism in LGBTQIA+ communities) and environmental factors (e.g., heterosexism within health services). The negative impact seems to be reduced by personal protective (e.g., resilience, spirituality, and hobbies) and environmental factors (e.g., technology use to increase social participation and social rituals). In conclusion, the health of LGBTQIA+ older adults has been disproportionately affected during the pandemic associated to the latest coronavirus (COVID-19). The experiences of LGBTQIA+ older adults during the pandemic are integrated in a Model of Health and Disease for LGBTQIA+ older adults. Specific strategies to promote health and well-being in this community are provided.

The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of older sexual minority Canadians in the CLSA

PURPOSE

Limited research has examined the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual; LGB) older adults using a longitudinal approach. This study aimed to compare the mental health trajectories (i.e., reported symptoms of depression and loneliness) of LGB and heterosexual participants across four time points.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), an ongoing study on the experiences of adults between 45 to 85 at Baseline. Data included for analysis were collected at Baseline (2011-2015), Follow-up 1 (2015-2018), and two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic (April-December 2020). We used General Estimating Equations (GEE) to model changes in depression symptoms (CESD-10; n = 47,728) and loneliness (UCLA 3-item loneliness scale; n = 41,698), adjusting for covariates (i.e., age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income).

RESULTS

Results indicated that LGB participants reported more symptoms of depression (B = .595, p < .001) and loneliness (B = .313, p < .001) in comparison to heterosexual peers across the four time points. Mean depression and loneliness scores increased regardless of sexual orientation.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the detrimental effects of the pandemic on the mental health of older adults regardless of sexual orientation. It also showed that LGB older adults experienced more loneliness and depression symptoms than heterosexual older adults both before and during the pandemic. Understanding diverse identities, needs, and disparities in mental health is critical to promoting equitable aging experiences for everyone.

Community (dis)connectedness and identity among LGBTQIA+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative cross-sectional and longitudinal trajectory study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated shelter-in-place ordinances passed in the first year of the pandemic rapidly limited access to in-person social interactions, raising concerns of diminishing social support and community cohesion while psychological stressors increased. For LGBTQIA+ people, connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community is known to buffer against the harmful effects of stressors and decrease risks for poor psychological and behavioral health outcomes. The current study uses qualitative cross-sectional and trajectory analysis methods to characterize how LGBTQIA+ people's perceptions of community connectedness shifted during the first year of the pandemic. A convenience sample of LGBTQIA+-identified people in the U.S. completed an initial online survey in September 2020 (n = 298 and a follow-up survey in September 2021 (n = 129). The survey included changes in connectedness to the LGBTQIA+ community since the pandemic's beginning. Thus, we used both cross-sectional (between-person analyses) and longitudinal trajectory (within-person analyses) qualitative approaches to understanding changes in LGBTQIA+ people's sense of connection to the LGBTQIA+ community across the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight cross-cutting themes (related to identity shifts/exploration, disconnection, online connections, and increased awareness of social justice issues) were identified and then organized within each level of the Social-Ecological Model of LGBTQIA+ wellbeing (i.e., the individual-, couple-, interpersonal-, organizational-, community-, and chronosystem- level). Given the importance of social support for LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, more longitudinal research is needed to determine whether these changes persist after the resolution of the acute phase of the pandemic.

"There isn't anybody else like me around here": the insider-outsider status of LGBT residents in housing with care schemes for older people

The intersections between aging, social minority status and housing needs in later life is a neglected area of sociological exploration, even more so for older people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT). Recent sociological findings indicate that older LGBT people in housing schemes stress the importance of bonding social capital and look to other people in their social networks who reflect their identities and experiences as sources of support. In this paper, we examine the insider-outsider status occupied by older LGBT residents living in housing schemes that provide some form of care and support, for example extra care and independent living schemes. We present qualitative findings generated from a mixed-methods study of social inclusion practices in housing with care in England and Wales (UK) (2019-22). In this study 15 LGBT residents participated in semi-structured interviews (55-79 years of age) across a total of 31 interviews. Through a queer gerontological lens we examine how older LGBT people are socially situated within mainstream housing schemes in which they experience partial visibility while also encountering exclusionary pressures that locate them as "the other." This insider-outsider status undermines the premise of housing with care schemes to provide safe, secure spaces to grow old. We discuss three core themes: (1) how LGBT residents navigate their outsider status in scheme life and how the intersection of disability and minority status amplifies this social location; (2) the exclusionary practices exercised by other residents that reinforce boundaries of sexual and gender normalcy; and, (3) the heightened importance of maintaining external social connections among LGBT residents. We conclude by introducing an alternative notion of marginal aging and expanding on the implications for housing providers, reflecting on their responsibilities for promoting and maintaining queer-friendly environments.

Social Support in Older Transgender and Gender Diverse Communities in the United Kingdom and Australia: A Comparative Study During COVID-19

While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older people has been recognized, there is limited understanding of its impact on older trans and gender diverse people who often have different experiences of care and support than the general population. This article examines older trans and gender diverse people's experience of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on a comparative mixed method survey administered in Australia and the United Kingdom. Using a non-probability sample of 84 participants who were connected to social media and service organizations in the United Kingdom and Australia, we found some commonalities and differences between experiences in these countries. Some participants were isolated, including almost 1 in 5 participants who said that they did not have someone they could call upon in an emergency. However, participants had rich networks of friends, partners, and family members. Religious organizations and the community also played an important role. Friends were reported as the main emergency contacts and as the main people to whom support is provided. This research supports previous findings that friends of trans and gender diverse people play an important role in well-being.

Is Urban Agriculture Sustaining the Urban Poor? A Study of Grandmother Headed Households (GHHs) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

In this study of urban agriculture in Bulawayo, I examine the extent to which the activity sustains the poor and reduces social exclusion in grandmother-headed households. A qualitative case study design was employed to study the lives of 19 older women. Findings indicate that urban agriculture does not assist in reducing food insecurity and social exclusion among the research participants because of several factors. Challenges in acquiring farming land, medical conditions, and the strenuous and less integrated nature of the urban agriculture practice affect the extent to which urban agriculture secures families from hunger. Social assistance is needed for members of grandmother-headed households.

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore mental well-being, circumstances and strategies around managing sexual intimacy and risk during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) among men and gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDPSM), commencing while lockdown was in progress. n = 1429 MGDPSM completed the survey and 14 undertook an in-depth interview. Low mental well-being was reported by 49.6% of the survey participants. Low mental well-being was not predicted by relationship and living circumstance, sexual networking app use, or by casual sexual partners. Low mental well-being was associated with more frequent COVID-19 anxiety (OR = 5.08 CI: 3.74, 6.88 p < 0.001) and with younger age (18−24 years OR = 2.23 CI:1.41−3.53 p = 0.001, 25−34 years OR = 1.45 CI:1.04−2.02 p = 0.029, 35−44 years OR = 1.41 CI:1.00−1.99 p = 0.052). The interview participants understood their lockdown experiences as being relative to normalcy, and those experiencing more dramatic changes faced greater challenges. Living with partners was felt to protect well-being. Many participants reported intimacy interruption challenges. The findings indicate that mental well-being is predicted by age and COVID-19 impact, highlighting opportunities for targeting MGDPSM who are most vulnerable to poor mental health. Services that support MGDPSM during COVID-19 recovery efforts must provide non-judgemental and affirming support.

Mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound negative impact on the mental health of the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have increased structural disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ is an acronym used to identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus all community members using different terms to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed them to increased minority stress, which can also affect their physical health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the few available studies on the mental health of LGBTQ+ have reported frequent worries about the future, negative emotions, and feelings of uncertainty. Moreover, they have faced further difficulties such as undertaking hormone therapy, accessing to health facilities or living with family members not accepting their condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a significant burden to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and therefore there is the need to provide them with dedicated supportive interventions in order to promote the early detection of mental health problems or of full-blown mental disorders.

Disparities in Mental Health and Well-Being between Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: This study examines disparities in older adults’ mental health and well-being during the pandemic by sexual minority status. Methods: This study analyzed data on older adults from the Health and Retirement Study’s COVID-19 Module (N = 3142 for heterosexuals and N = 75 for sexual minorities). Weighted regressions linked concern about COVID-19, depression, pandemic emotional stress, and changes in loneliness, in-person contacts, income, and work to sexual minority status, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minority older adults had more concern about the pandemic and emotional stress and showed a decrease in in-person contact during the pandemic—these differences were not explained by sociodemographic characteristics. Sexual minority older adults were also more likely to have changes in income and work during the pandemic, but these differences were explained by sociodemographic characteristics. Discussion: Sexual minority older adults have experienced worse mental health outcomes than heterosexuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, which merits intervention.