Stress and Mental Health Among Midlife and Older Gay-Identified Men

Abstract

Objectives We investigated associations between stress and mental health (positive affect, depressive symptoms) among HIV-negative and HIV-positive midlife and older gay-identified men, along with the mediating and moderating effects of mastery and emotional support. We also studied the mental health effects of same-sex marriage. Methods We obtained data from self-administered questionnaires completed in 2009 or 2010 by a subsample (n=202; average age=56.91 years; age range= 44–75 years) of participants in the University of California, Los Angeles component of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, one of the largest and longest-running natural-history studies of HIV/AIDS in the United States. Results Both sexual minority stress (perceived gay-related stigma, excessive HIV bereavements) and aging-related stress (independence and fiscal concerns) appeared to have been detrimental to mental health. Sense of mastery partially mediated these associations. Being legally married was significantly protective net of all covariates, including having a domestic partner but not being married. Education, HIV status, and race/ethnicity had no significant effects. Conclusions Sexual minority and aging-related stress significantly affected the emotional lives of these men. Personal sense of mastery may help to sustain them as they age. We observed specific mental health benefits of same-sex legal marriage.

A Comparative Examination of Unhealthy Behaviors and Negative-LGBT Experiences among Individuals in Legal Same-Sex Marriages and in Committed Same-Sex Relationships

“…Although it is early to conclude that same-sex marriage will mirror different-sex marriage, the findings from this study appear to align with the general consensus on the benefits and protective effects of marriage. Our findings are also in line with the limited literature on same-sex marriage that has found beneficial and protective effects of same-sex marriage (Wight et al, 2012;Riggle et al, 2010). However, more research needs to be conducted on this topic as it is a relatively new phenomenon with important implications on the health of members of the LGBT community.…”

“…Another U.S. study with a sample of gay-identified males in their midlife or older, showed that those married had lower odds of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to those not married. In the same study, those who were married also had higher odds of having positive affect or good mood (Wight et al, 2012). One of the few studies on same-sex relationships with a large national-level U.S. sample of over 2,000 respondents found that married individuals reported reduced levels of stress, depressive symptoms and internalized homophobia and reported a higher sense of meaning of life compared to those who were in non-marital committed relationships (Riggle et al, 2010).…”

Characterizing non-monosexual women at risk for poor mental health outcomes: A mixed methods study

“…Further, the model proposes that the psychological impact of these stressors may be moderated by characteristics of the minority identity (e.g., salience) and experiences of social support (e.g., from a sexual minority community). This framework has been widely used in the study of mental health among sexual minority people, 12,13 and so guided our choice of instruments in quantitative data collection, and attention to minority stress constructs in our qualitative analysis.…”

Health Implications of the Supreme Court's Obergefell vs. Hodges Marriage Equality Decision

“…For example, several studies found that same-sex couples living in states with marriage bans had higher rates of mental health issues, stress, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. 4,7,[13][14][15] A 2010 study comparing lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in states with marriage bans versus states with marriage equality found that LGB persons living in states with bans had a nearly 37% increase in any mood disorder, 248.2% increase in generalized anxiety disorder, 41% increase in alcohol use, and 36% increase in any psychiatric co-morbidity. 15 Given the research on the impact of discrimination, one might be tempted to assume that marriage equality will eradicate LGBT health disparities.…”