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Sperling D. Needs, Experiences, and Hopes for Aging Futures among Older Adults in the LGBTQ Communities: A Qualitative Study in Israel. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024:10.1007/s10508-024-02938-x. [PMID: 39009741 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02938-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals tend to live alone, mostly without children and with scarce support from nuclear family members or biological kin. Moreover, traditional resources may not suit their specific end-of-life care needs. While studies have examined these topics in general, they lack focus on end-of-life needs, care, and planning in Israel. Moreover, research on this topic among members of LGBTQ communities is specifically lacking. This study, therefore, aimed at identifying and understanding the attitudes, perceptions, and meanings of older LGBTQ individuals in Israel regarding their needs and challenges, as they age and near end of life. The phenomenological qualitative research methodology was applied, following the interpretive approach. Twenty-one middle-aged and older LGBTQ individuals in Israel, aged ≥ 55, participated in the study. In-depth semi-structured interviews, conducted from November 2020 to April 2021, were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Five themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Experiences of loneliness, marginalization, and trauma, and coping through liberation; (2) ageism and exclusion of older adults; (3) elastic and challenging relationships; (4) end of life as reverting into the closet and heteronormativity; and (5) death as a source of generativity and creativity. The study demonstrates that loneliness is an existential experience, exacerbated by the intersectionality of LGBTQ communities. In turn, chosen family members play a minimal role in the end-of-life care of their loved ones. While conveying ambivalence toward social services and housing for the aging, participants in this study expressed fear of being discriminated against and having to re-enter the closet as they age. Ageism and end of life do not represent finality and extinction, yet instead, signify hope and revival. Following Sandberg and Marshall's (2017) concept of queering aging futures, this study refines our understanding of life courses, demonstrating that living and thriving in old age could be positive and desirable. As such, ageism and end of life do not necessarily represent finality and extinction, and may instead signify hope and revival. The unique challenges associated with family and social support of older adults who are LGBTQ members, and their implications on care, deserve further research and are important for practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sperling
- The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
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Anderson JG, Jabson Tree JM, Flatt JD, Smith JL, Morgan KH, Beebe LH, Rose KM. Use of Digital Health Resources by Sexual and Gender Minority Caregivers of Older Adults: Findings From the 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Survey. JOURNAL OF FAMILY NURSING 2024; 30:68-80. [PMID: 38098262 DOI: 10.1177/10748407231218000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
We applied Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use to investigate the health needs and use of digital health resources among sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) caregivers. Data were from the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 survey. Regression analyses were used to describe associations between predisposing, enabling, and need factors and usage of digital health resources. SGM caregivers provided more hours of care per week, reported higher levels of care intensity, and reported higher physical, emotional, and financial strain compared with non-SGM caregivers. Regression analyses indicated SGM status was a significant predictor of overall use of digital health resources. Younger caregivers, racial minority caregivers, those providing higher levels of care, and those reporting a poorer health status were more likely to use digital health resources. Digital health resources may be useful tools for SGM caregivers of older adults. More research is needed to investigate the reasons SGM caregivers use these resources.
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Martinez ME, Felner JK, Shen J, McDaniels-Davidson C, Nodora JN, Lacey JV, Savage KE, Duffy CN, Spielfogel ES, Hong S. Mental health and social connection among older lesbian and bisexual women. Int Psychogeriatr 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38186234 PMCID: PMC11228127 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610223004453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess differences in psychosocial and mental health outcomes between older lesbian and bisexual women compared to heterosexual women. DESIGN Cross sectional study. SETTING The study was carried out in the California Teachers Study, a prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Self-identified heterosexual (n = 35,846), lesbian (n = 710), and bisexual (n = 253) women 50 years of age and older were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS Validated questionnaires were used to measure social connection, overall happiness, and depression. Logistic regression modeling was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing lesbian and bisexual women separately to heterosexual women in relation to psychosocial and mental health outcomes. RESULTS After controlling for age and marital status, older bisexual women were significantly more likely to report lack of companionship (OR = 2.00; 95% CI, 1.30-3.12) and feeling left out (OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.36-3.97) compared to older heterosexual women. The odds of reporting feeling isolated from others was significantly higher in lesbian (OR = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.06-2.30) and bisexual women (OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.37-3.87) than in heterosexual women. The OR (95% CI) for reporting not being very happy overall was 1.96 (CI, 1.09-3.52) in bisexual women and 1.40 (0.92-2.14) in lesbian women compared to heterosexual women. The likelihood of reporting diagnosed depression was significantly higher in lesbian women (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.38-1.97) and bisexual women (OR = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.67-2.93) compared to heterosexual women. CONCLUSION Inclusion of lesbian and bisexual women in aging research is essential to understand their unique mental and other health needs, including those specific to bisexual women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Martinez
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92037, USA
| | - Jennifer K. Felner
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego CA 92182, USA
| | - Jian Shen
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92037, USA
| | - Corinne McDaniels-Davidson
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92037, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego CA 92182, USA
| | - Jesse N. Nodora
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92037, USA
- Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California, San Diego CA 92037, USA
| | - James V. Lacey
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope. 1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Kristen E. Savage
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope. 1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Christine N. Duffy
- School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Emma S. Spielfogel
- Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope. 1500 E. Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Suzi Hong
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Yang W, Craig SL, Ross LE, Anderson JAE, Muntaner C. Impact of Neighborhood Deprivation on Aging Sexual Minority People's Depression: Results from the CANUE and CLSA data. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 112:105013. [PMID: 37058815 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
As the aging population grows across the world, exploring the impact of social environment on minority populations' aging and well-being would be an essential step towards building an inclusive society. Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) data, the study investigated the relationship between deprivation and depression level in aging sexual minority people to examine how neighborhood level social and material deprivation influence mental health. 48,792 survey respondents were included in our analyses and the average age was 62.9. The study had 47,792 heterosexual, 760 gay/lesbian, and 240 bisexual individuals (23,977 men and 24,815 women). Regression analyses were conducted while controlling for age in each model. Results revealed that neighborhood material deprivation has a significant impact on mental health outcomes of aging lesbian women and bisexual men. The study provides an opportunity for intervention considerations for materially deprived neighborhoods to serve the aging sexual minority people residing in such areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wook Yang
- Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA 90032.
| | - Shelley L Craig
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V4
| | - Lori E Ross
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 3M7
| | - John A E Anderson
- Department of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, 2202A Dunton Tower, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Carles Muntaner
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 3M7; Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 3M7
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