The Relation Between Social Embeddedness and Loneliness among Older Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the Netherlands

Abstract

Research has shown that aging lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) often experience feelings of loneliness. The main aim of this study was to examine whether older LGB adults in the Netherlands are lonelier than their heterosexual counterparts and, if so, whether the higher levels of loneliness can be attributed to a lower degree of social embeddedness. Using data from the Gay Autumn project and the NESTOR survey on Living Arrangements and Social Networks of Older Adults, we found that LGB elders were significantly lonelier and less socially embedded than heterosexual elders. Compared with their heterosexual peers, older LGBs were more likely to have experienced divorce, to be childless or to have less intensive contact with their children. They also had less intensive contact with other members of their families and they were less frequent churchgoers. Their weaker level of social embeddedness, however, only partially explained the stronger feelings of loneliness among older LGB adults. Nor could their higher levels of loneliness be attributed to other, non-social embeddedness factors (health, living conditions, self-esteem, and socioeconomic status). Emphasis on other aspects of social embeddedness, such as the quality of social relationships in the private domain and minority stress, is an important challenge for future research.

Iridescent Life Course: LGBTQ Aging Research and Blueprint for the Future – A Systematic Review

“…Broader social networks and supports were also investigated [32, 33, 46]. Social relationships and social networks were assessed for their presence, size, and impact.…”

“…Having a partner and co-residing with that partner were associated with being White [49], younger [47, 59], and female [80]. Loneliness and social isolation, on the other hand, were associated with being male, being single, being less socially embedded, and having a smaller social network [32, 33]. …”

“…The life events explored in the literature were related primarily to identity development, coming out and disclosure experiences [16, 17, 41], and the formation and dissolution of important social relationships [32, 41, 77]. Coming out experiences were measured in a variety of ways, including sequencing and timing.…”

“…Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults were found to be less frequent churchgoers than their heterosexual counterparts [32], nearly 40% attended religious or spiritual services on an ongoing basis [59]. Religious and spiritual activity, such as engagement, was not significantly associated with health or quality of life for LGBTQ older adults in general [59] or with successful aging among trans older adults [23].…”

Correlates of Loneliness among Adults of Childbearing Age

“…Some studies showed that women report more loneliness than men [6], while other studies report more loneliness among men [7]. Persons of minority groups have also been found to report increased loneliness [8,9]. These findings supported posits of the intersectional framework, which suggests that gender and race have an influence on loneliness.…”