Sexual Orientation and Gender Differences in Aging Perceptions and Concerns Among Older Adults

Abstract

Background and Objectives Ageism (negative attitudes and behavior toward older adults) is a serious social issue and is of growing concern as the population of older adults continues to increase. Research demonstrates that negative aging perceptions and aging concerns are associated with poor health and well-being among older adults; yet, few studies have examined sexual orientation or gender differences in aging perceptions and concerns among older adults. Research Design and Methods The current online study examined aging perceptions and concerns among a national community sample of 821 (female = 464) participants (76 lesbian, 159 gay, 88 bisexual, 498 heterosexual participants) ranging from 45 to 80 years of age ( M = 55.56). Results and Discussion Older women reported more aging anxiety and endorsement of aging stereotypes while older sexual minority individuals reported heightened general aging concerns compared to their heterosexual peers. Among sexual minority participants, discrimination based on age and sexual orientation predicted greater sexual minority-specific aging concerns, anxiety, and depression. Experiencing sexual orientation discrimination buffered age discrimination’s impact on sexual minority-specific aging concerns, suggesting that experiencing discrimination based on one stigmatized identity (sexual minority) may promote effective coping with discrimination based on another stigmatized identity (older adult). Conversely, age and sexual orientation discrimination had multiplicative effects on anxiety and depression. Implications Overall, findings point to the importance of examining sexual orientation and gender differences in aging perceptions and concerns to more fully understand the experiences, health, and well-being of the growing older population. Implications for future directions are discussed.

Subjective Cognitive Decline Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: Results from a U.S. Population-Based Sample

“…Subjective Cognitive Decline-The question on SCD asked "During the past 12 months, have you experienced confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse?" This question elicited a binary response (yes vs. no) and has been used in previous studies examining SCD [32,36].…”

“…Potential Confounders-A confounder was considered in the current study if it was associated with SGM and an independent risk factor for SCD but was not in the pathway between SGM and SCD. Based on literature review a priori [17,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41], confounders considered included: age (60-69, 70-79, 80-80 vs. 45-59), income ($15,000-<$50,000, ≥ $50,000 vs. <$15,000), education (high school graduate, > high school graduate vs. < high school graduate), and race/ethnicity (Black, Non-Hispanic; Other, Non-Hispanic, Hispanic vs. White, non-Hispanic). (From this point forward, when referring to Black, Other, and White races, we are referring to non-Hispanic ethnicity).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that age may be associated with identifying as SGM because as adolescents get older they may be more likely to disclose their sexual identity [35]; however among middle-aged and older adults, they may be less likely to disclose their SGM status [35,36]. The findings examining differences in SGM status by race/ethnicity, education, and employment have been mixed.…”

Association between sexual orientation and subjective cognitive complaints in the general population in England

“…These experiences increase levels of stress among these populations and may contribute to poor sleep levels, increased anxiety and other mental health concerns. For example, in a recent study it was found that among sexual minority participants, discrimination based on age and sexual orientation predicted greater levels of mental health concerns (Lytle, Apriceno, Dyar, & Levy, 2018). Secondly, sexual minorities, at least in the case for nonmonogamous men who have sex with men, are disproportionally impacted by HIV, which in itself is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia (Heaton et al, 2011;Rourke, Halman, & Bassel, 1999).…”

What does feeling younger or older than one’s chronological age mean to men and women? Qualitative and quantitative findings from the PROTECT study

“…Although current evidence on sex differences in SA is inconclusive (Kornadt et al, 2013;Levy et al, 2002;Schafer & Shippee, 2010), the distinct attributional processes, social roles, and age-related expectations that characterise men and women may impact on their evaluations of age-related changes and consequently on SA (Barrett, 2005;Hvas, 2006;Settersten, 2017). Those studies reporting a younger SA among women hypothesised that this is due to women having some characteristics associated with a younger SA including optimism, adaptation, resilience, strong family identity, and elongated view of the life course (Hvas, 2006;Lytle et al, 2018;Montepare, 2020;Sontag, 1997). Those studies reporting more negative SA among women instead suggested that their results are due to women being more likely than men to experience poor physical health and ageing anxiety, and to internalise negative age-related stereotypes (Barrett, 2005).…”