Volunteering among Older Lesbian and Gay Adults: Associations with Mental, Physical and Social Well-Being

2020 ◽  
pp. 089826432095291
Author(s):  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Beatrice Alba ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Mark Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Community Connectedness ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Insight Into

Objectives: Volunteering is associated with positive well-being among older people, providing opportunities to stay active and socially connected. This may be especially relevant for older lesbian and gay people, who are less likely than heterosexual people to have a partner, children or support from their family of origin. Methods: Patterns of volunteering and mental, physical and social well-being were examined in a sample of 754 lesbian and gay adults in Australia aged 60 years and older who completed a nationwide survey. Results: Volunteers reported greater positive mental health than non-volunteers. Among the gay men, volunteers additionally reported higher self-rated health and social support and lower psychological distress. Both the lesbian women and gay men who volunteered for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) organisations also reported greater LGBTI community connectedness than volunteers for non-LGBTI organisations. Discussion: These findings provide further insight into potential factors associated with the well-being of older lesbian and gay adults.

Relationship commitment of Portuguese lesbian and gay individuals: Examining the role of cohabitation and perceived social support

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 2738-2758
Author(s):  
David L. Rodrigues ◽  
Aleksandra Huic ◽  
Diniz Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Relationship Commitment ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Important Relationship

Lesbian and gay (LG) individuals strive to form stable relationships, and most of them are successful in doing so. Because successful relationships have benefits for psychological well-being, it is important to investigate factors that help people in same-sex relationships to achieve stable and committed relationships. The Investment Model (IM) proposes commitment to be predicted by satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and relationship investments. We extend this model by proposing two additional variables—cohabitation and social support. Cohabitation is a particularly important relationship marker for LG individuals, and its role on same-sex relationship commitment may be linked to the perception of greater support from close family and friends. In a cross-sectional study conducted in Portugal ( N = 534, 62.4% gay men and 37.6% lesbian women; Mage = 29.64 years, SD = 8.30), we tested a multigroup structural equation model linking cohabitation to perceived social support from close network members (family and friends) and to relationship commitment, via the IM variables. The results showed that cohabitation was positively associated with perceived social support from both parents and friends. Friend support and its association with satisfaction mediated the association between cohabitation and commitment for both gay men and lesbian women. However, there were differences between LG individuals. Support from parents was positively associated with satisfaction and negatively associated with perceived quality of alternative situations to the relationship, but only for gay men. Support from friends was positively associated with satisfaction for both lesbian women and gay men while also positively associated with relationship investments for gay men. These results are a relevant addition to the literature by showing the importance of cohabitation and social support from parents and friends for same-sex relationship outcomes, possibly acting as buffers against different sorts of negative experiences.

scholarly journals Using Grounded Theory to Understand a Cutting-Edge Issue: Effects of Integrative Tactics on Chinese Gay Men’s and Lesbians’ Social Well-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691989834
Author(s):  
Xuan Ning ◽  
Chau-Kiu Cheung ◽  
Sijia Guo
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Power Bases ◽  
Negotiation Processes ◽  
Social Minorities

This study aims to demonstrate how grounded theory can be used to explore and analyze negotiation processes between self-identified gay men and lesbians and their parents. For a majority of Chinese gay men and lesbians, marriage proves to be the primary concern that drives negotiations with parents. Extant research documents the precarious consequences of gay men’s and lesbians’ social well-being yielded by these negotiations, which primarily employ distributive negotiating tactics. As integrative tactics prove to be conducive to favorable outcomes, their application in same-sex children’s negotiation with parents informs the present study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 Chinese participants (15 gay men and 10 lesbian women). Grounded theory analysis of interviewee data identified a grounded theory of soft-power-based negotiation, which illustrated detailed negotiation processes between gay men and lesbians and their parents and critical conditions mediating this process. The grounded theory elaborated concrete soft-power bases and integrative tactics used by participants and their parents. Conditions for integrative tactics to sustain gay men and lesbians’ social well-being emerged. Results implied viable solutions for resolving conflicts between social minorities and social majorities in general.

scholarly journals Comfort Among Older Lesbian and Gay People in Disclosing Their Sexual Orientation to Health and Aged Care Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482092533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Beatrice Alba ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Mark Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Internalized Homophobia ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Community Connectedness ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Care Services

Being comfortable in disclosing one’s sexual orientation to health and aged care providers is important for older lesbian and gay adults, given that nondisclosure is associated with poorer health and well-being outcomes. In a sample of 752 lesbian and gay adults aged 60 years and older living in Australia, we found only 51% of lesbian women and 64% of gay men felt fully comfortable to disclose their sexual orientation to health and aged care service providers. For both the women and the men, those who felt fully comfortable to disclose reported significantly less internalized homophobia; had fewer experiences of discrimination in the past year; and reported greater lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community connectedness. Feeling fully comfortable was also predicted by fewer experiences of lifetime discrimination among the men. These findings may help those seeking to assist older lesbian and gay people in feeling comfortable and being open with health and aged care service providers.

scholarly journals Vulnerability to rumours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria JE Long ◽  
Wei Shien Koh ◽  
Young Ern Saw ◽  
Jean CJ Liu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Base Rate ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Mental Well Being

Introduction: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many rumours have emerged. Given prior research linking rumour exposure to mental well-being, we conducted a nationwide survey to document the base rate of rumour exposure and factors associated with rumour vulnerability. Methods: Between March and July 2020, 1,237 participants were surveyed on 5 widely disseminated COVID-19 rumours (drinking water frequently could be preventive, eating garlic could be preventive, the outbreak arose because of bat soup consumption, the virus was created in an American lab, and the virus was created in a Chinese lab). For each rumour, participants reported whether they had heard, shared or believed each rumour. Results: Although most participants had been exposed to COVID-19 rumours, few shared or believed these. Sharing behaviours sometimes occurred in the absence of belief; however, education emerged as a protective factor for both sharing and belief. Conclusion: Our results suggest that campaigns targeting skills associated with higher education (e.g. epistemology) may prove more effective than counter-rumour messages.

Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 82-90
Author(s):  
Ellen C. Perrin ◽  
Sean M. Hurley ◽  
Kathryn Mattern ◽  
Lila Flavin ◽  
Ellen E. Pinderhughes
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Religious Institutions ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Gay Fathers ◽  
Heterosexual Relationship

BACKGROUND Gay men have become fathers in the context of a heterosexual relationship, by adoption, by donating sperm to 1 or 2 lesbian women and subsequently sharing parenting responsibilities, and/or by engaging the services of a surrogate pregnancy carrier. Despite legal, medical, and social advances, gay fathers and their children continue to experience stigma and avoid situations because of fear of stigma. Increasing evidence reveals that stigma is associated with reduced well-being of children and adults, including psychiatric symptoms and suicidality. METHODS Men throughout the United States who identified as gay and fathers completed an online survey. Dissemination of the survey was enhanced via a “snowball” method, yielding 732 complete responses from 47 states. The survey asked how the respondent had become a father, whether he had encountered barriers, and whether he and his child(ren) had experienced stigma in various social contexts. RESULTS Gay men are increasingly becoming fathers via adoption and with assistance of an unrelated pregnancy carrier. Their pathways to fatherhood vary with socioeconomic class and the extent of legal protections in their state. Respondents reported barriers to becoming a father and stigma associated with fatherhood in multiple social contexts, most often in religious institutions. Fewer barriers and less stigma were experienced by fathers living in states with more legal protections. CONCLUSIONS Despite growing acceptance of parenting by same-gender adults, barriers and stigma persist. States’ legal and social protections for lesbian and gay individuals and families appear to be effective in reducing experiences of stigma for gay fathers.

Factors Associated with Self-Reported PTSD Diagnosis among Older Lesbian Women and Gay Men

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Beatrice Alba ◽  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Mark Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Ptsd Diagnosis ◽  
Factors Associated

Training Issues for Counseling Psychologists in Working with Lesbian Women and Gay Men

1991 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin A. Buhrke ◽  
Louise A. Douce
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Counseling Psychology ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Psychology Training Programs ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Counseling Psychologists

Counseling psychology professional organizations clearly state that discrimination on the basis of minority status-be it racial/ethnic, sexual orientation, gender, or other-is unethical and unacceptable. Unfortunately, many counselors and counseling psychologists have received little training with regard to lesbian and gay issues. This article presents ways in which these issues can and should be incorporated into counseling psychology training programs. Academic and internship training are addressed, followed by a discussion of the importance of a safe and appropriate environment for lesbian and gay personnel Specific recommendations are presented and discussed.

scholarly journals Implicit Preferences for Straight People over Lesbian Women and Gay Men Weakened from 2006 to 2013

Collabra ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin C. Westgate ◽  
Rachel G. Riskind ◽  
Brian A. Nosek
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
White Female ◽  
Societal Change ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Early 21St Century ◽  
Lesbian And Gay ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Hispanic White

Legal rights and cultural attitudes towards lesbian women and gay men have shifted rapidly in the early 21st century. Using 683,976 visitors to Project Implicit from February 2006 to August 2013, we investigated whether shifts were also observable in implicit evaluations that occur outside of conscious awareness or control. Similar to public opinion polling, the estimated explicit preference for straight people over lesbian women and gay men was 26% weaker on the last day compared to the first. The estimated implicit preference for straight people declined by 13.4% over the same period. The largest shifts in implicit evaluations occurred among Hispanic, White, female, liberal, and young adult participants; the smallest shifts occurred among Black, Asian, male, conservative, and older adult participants. Societal change in evaluation of lesbian and gay people is not limited to what people are willing and able to report. However, change in implicit evaluation appears to be slower.

scholarly journals United States Normative Attitudes for Pursuing Parenthood as a Function of Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Age

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doyle P. Tate
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Descriptive Norms ◽  
Same Sex Couples ◽  
Lesbian And Gay

Decisions about whether or not to become a parent are significant parts of normative human development. Many studies have shown that married different-sex couples are expected to become parents, and that many social pressures enforce this norm. For same-sex couples, however, much less is known about social norms surrounding parenthood within marriage. This study examined injunctive norms and descriptive norms for the pursuit of parenthood as a function of age, gender, and sexual orientation. Participants in an internet survey included 1020 (522 heterosexual, 498 lesbian/gay) cisgender people from across the United States Findings showed that norms, especially descriptive norms, for the pursuit of parenthood for heterosexual people were much stronger than those for lesbian women and gay men, and that norms for lesbian women were stronger than those for gay men. These differences were more pronounced for older, heterosexual, and male participants. However, lesbian and gay participants, especially gay men, reported that lesbian and gay people ought to become parents to the same extent as heterosexual people. Overall, the results indicated that, regardless of sexual orientation, adults report that lesbian and gay married people ought to become parents, but that they expect only a minority of these couples will pursue parenthood. This research provided a glimpse into how Americans are envisioning family formation among same-sex couples today.

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