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Ali-Saleh Darawshy N, Timor-Shlevin S, Lavie-Ajayi M. Professional and Personal Attitudes toward Discussing Sexuality and Degree of Religiosity among Social Workers. SOCIAL WORK 2024; 69:377-386. [PMID: 39018460 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the correlations between social workers' levels of religiosity and their professional attitudes toward discussing sexual health. The focus was particularly on the potential mediating role of their attitudes to heteronormative beliefs. A random sample of 150 social workers from Israel (Jewish [63.3 percent], Palestinian-Arab [36 percent], and those who self-identified as "other" [0.7 percent]) completed a self-administered questionnaire. The findings revealed significant correlations among professional attitudes toward discussing sexual health, attitudes toward heteronormativity, and degree of religiosity. Social workers with higher levels of religiosity exhibited higher levels of heteronormative beliefs, which, in turn, influenced their professional attitudes toward discussing sexual health. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of challenging heteronormative perspectives for all social welfare service users. Social work must establish culturally sensitive training to challenge the hegemony of heteronormative perspectives while connecting to religious and conservative values and perceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neveen Ali-Saleh Darawshy
- Neveen Ali-Saleh Darawshy, PhD, is lecturer, School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shachar Timor-Shlevin
- Shachar Timor-Shlevin, PhD, is lecturer, School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Maya Lavie-Ajayi
- Maya Lavie-Ajayi, PhD, is head, Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, Gender Studies Program, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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Brennan-Ing M, Haberlen S, Ware D, Meanley S, Palella FJ, Bolan R, Cook JA, Okafor CN, Friedman MR, Plankey MW. Does Resilience Mediate the Relationship Between Negative Self-Image and Psychological Distress in Middle-Aged and Older Gay and Bisexual Men? Res Aging 2024:1640275241261414. [PMID: 38886913 DOI: 10.1177/01640275241261414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Aging gay and bisexual men may have negative self-images due to body image dissatisfaction and internalized ageism, resulting in psychological distress. Gay and bisexual men with HIV may be at greater risk for distress because of research linking HIV to accelerated aging. We examined associations between self-image and psychological distress, and potential mediating effects (resilience, fitness engagement), and whether these relationships were moderated by HIV serostatus. We tested our hypotheses with structural equation modeling using data from gay and bisexual men with HIV (n = 525, Mage = 57.6) and without HIV (n = 501, Mage = 62.2). We observed significant positive associations between self-image and distress and significant mediation effects (resilience, fitness engagement) that were moderated by HIV serostatus (resilience was only significant for men with HIV). We conclude that resilience interventions may be beneficial in alleviating distress from negative self-image among aging gay and bisexual men with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Brennan-Ing
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sabina Haberlen
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deanna Ware
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frank J Palella
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert Bolan
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Judith A Cook
- Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chukwuemeka N Okafor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - M Reuel Friedman
- School of Public Health, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael W Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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Shenkman G, Ifrah K, Shmotkin D. The moderation of socio-demographics in physical and mental health disparities among Israeli gay and heterosexual middle-aged and older men. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:1061-1068. [PMID: 33749417 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1901259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physical and mental health disparities were explored among Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men alongside the moderating role of age, relationship status, and place of birth. METHOD 173 middle-aged and older gay men were individually matched with 173 middle-aged and older heterosexual men at the age range of 50-86 (M = 60.56, SD = 8.42). All participants completed measures of doctor visits, physical health comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. RESULTS Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men did not significantly differ on physical or mental health indicators. However, a more differential analysis revealed that older age and relationship status had a moderating role, such that older gay men reported more physical health comorbidity in comparison to older heterosexual men. Similarly, gay men who were not in a steady relationship reported more frequent visits to the doctor and more anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not in a steady relationship. Additionally, immigration history appeared as a potential resiliency factor, such that gay men who were not born in Israel reported less frequent doctor visits and less anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not born in Israel. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a pioneering examination of physical and mental health disparities in an Israeli sample of middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men. These results may call the attention of clinicians and policymakers to both vulnerabilities and strengths of middle-aged and older gay men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Kfir Ifrah
- Faculty of Social & Community Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
| | - Dov Shmotkin
- School of Psychological Sciences and Herczeg Institute on Aging, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Choi EY, Um S, Shin H, Kim YS. Attitudes toward aging, active coping, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Korean adults: How do they differ by age group? J Affect Disord 2022; 296:380-387. [PMID: 34606797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the adverse health outcomes of holding negative attitudes toward aging, little attention has been paid to these attitudes' role in mental health among the aging population. OBJECTIVES Drawing on the stress coping theory, this study examines whether negative attitudes toward aging and low levels of active coping are associated with greater depressive symptoms, and whether active coping attenuates the increased risk of depression caused by negative aging attitudes. We also investigate how these associations differ in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS A nationwide sample of 500 Koreans aged 55 or above was analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed separately by age groups to investigate the independent effects of attitudes toward aging and active coping as well as their interactive effects on depressive symptoms. RESULTS Our findings showed that more negative attitudes toward aging were related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. There were age group differences in the independent and moderating effects of active coping. For the middle-aged, those with higher levels of active coping had fewer depressive symptoms, while no such significant association was found among older adults. On the contrary, active coping buffered the adverse effects of endorsing negative aging attitudes on depressive symptoms only for the older adult group. LIMITATIONS A causality cannot be inferred by our findings due to the cross-sectional design. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide some of the first insights into how one's aging attitudes and coping style may protect against the risk of depression and how it differs by age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Choi
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Sarang Um
- Department of Gerontology, AgeTech-Service Convergence Major, Graduate School of East-West Medicine Science, Kyunghee University Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hyeri Shin
- Department of Gerontology, AgeTech-Service Convergence Major, Graduate School of East-West Medicine Science, Kyunghee University Suwon, South Korea
| | - Young Sun Kim
- Department of Gerontology, AgeTech-Service Convergence Major, Graduate School of East-West Medicine Science, Kyunghee University Suwon, South Korea.
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Shenkman G, Siboni O, Tasker F, Costa PA. Pathways to Fatherhood: Psychological Well-Being Among Israeli Gay Fathers Through Surrogacy, Gay Fathers Through Previous Heterosexual Relationships, and Heterosexual Fathers. Front Psychol 2020; 11:91. [PMID: 32063878 PMCID: PMC7000545 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored differences in psychological well-being as assessed by life satisfaction, parenthood satisfaction, depressive symptoms and the Big Five personality dimensions among 219 Israeli fathers; 76 gay men who had become fathers through a heterosexual relationship, 63 gay men who had become fathers through surrogacy, and 78 heterosexual men. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, gay fathers through surrogacy reported greater satisfaction with parenthood, greater satisfaction with their lives, and reported higher levels of extraversion when compared to heterosexual fathers. No significant differences emerged between the three groups on depressive symptoms, neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to experience. These findings emphasize the predominant similarities and some possible differences on psychological well-being between the different paths to fatherhood. This study is one of the first to compare several paths to fatherhood on psychological well-being, thus illuminating the contribution of fatherhood route to psychological well-being in an era where gay men are increasingly becoming fathers in diverse ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Ofer Siboni
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Fiona Tasker
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Shenkman G, Toussia-Cohen Y. Physical Self-Concept and its Association with Depressive Symptoms among Gay Men and Lesbian Women and their Heterosexual Counterparts. SEX ROLES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-019-01092-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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McCann E, Brown MJ. The mental health needs and concerns of older people who identify as LGBTQ+: A narrative review of the international evidence. J Adv Nurs 2019; 75:3390-3403. [PMID: 31486091 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences and perceptions of older people who identify as LGBTQ + regarding their mental health needs and concerns. DESIGN A narrative review and critical appraisal of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies. DATA SOURCES A systematic search was undertaken across all of the databases including PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts. International studies published in academic journals in the English language, from January 1995 - January 2019 were appraised. Studies had to involve older people identifying as LGBTQ + and who had experiences mental health issues. REVIEW METHODS Fourteen papers were selected for inclusion in the systematic review. A narrative analysis of the papers was used by synthesizing the key findings and organizing them into themes and concepts. RESULTS Following analysis of the data, the identified themes were: (a) LGBTQ + identity issues (b) risk and vulnerability factors, (c) coping strategies and resilience, (d) interventions and supports. CONCLUSION This review highlights key mental health-related issues that need to be taken into account in the creation and provision of appropriate, responsive and inclusive supports and services. IMPACT What were the main findings? Some older people who identify as LGBTQ + have experienced stigma, discrimination, and minority stress. However, many have developed coping strategies and resilience while others have developed mental health issues. It is necessary to have in place appropriate interventions and supports to effectively meet the needs of this population. Where and on whom will the research have impact? The review has significant implications for health and nursing policy and inform developments in nursing practice and nurse education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward McCann
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
| | - Michael John Brown
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Shenkman G, Shmotkin D. Self-Perceived Parental Role and Mental Health Concomitants Among Israeli Gay and Heterosexual Fathers. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2019; 67:712-732. [PMID: 30614407 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1555392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study we examined the association between self-perceived parental role and adverse mental health (indicated by depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and negative affect) in a sample of 82 Israeli gay fathers (Mean age = 39.57, SD = 6.70) that were individually matched with 82 heterosexual fathers (Mean age = 39.11, SD = 7.88). Results showed that although self-perceived parental role was associated with adverse mental health, this association was moderated by sexual orientation, such that a significant negative association between self-perceived parental role and adverse mental health was evident only among gay fathers. The findings are understood by features of gay fatherhood, which is intentional and purposeful, and usually achieved after contending with particular difficulties in the journey to fatherhood. These features presumably shape the perceived parental role, and thus may link more strongly with lower levels of adverse mental health among gay fathers, compared to heterosexual fathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Shenkman
- School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
| | - Dov Shmotkin
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Ifrah K, Shenkman G, Shmotkin D. How does sexual orientation relate to openness to experience in adulthood. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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