Stress and Resilience among Sexual and Gender Diverse Caregivers

Abstract

Little is known about caregiving outcomes of sexual and gender diverse, including LGBT, caregivers. Informed by the Health Equity Promotion Model (HEPM) and Pearlin’s Stress Process Model, we utilized data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS), to examine perceived stress among a sample of 754 sexual and gender diverse caregivers using regressions on background and caregiving characteristics and risk and protective factors. Among caregivers, 38% were providing care to a spouse or partner and about one-third to a friend (29%). Higher stress was associated with younger age, lower income, higher education, partner/spouse care, personal care provision, longer caregiving hours, and caregiver cognitive impairment. After including the risk and protective factors from HEPM, victimization, social support, and community engagement significantly predicted perceived stress. Findings contribute to emergent research on caregiving in diverse populations.

Multidimensional social connectedness of sexual and gender minority midlife and older adults: Findings from the National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS).

“…The importance of diversity within the structure of interpersonal relations, including both immediate family and other nonrelative family members has many programmatic and policy-related implications. To date, most programs serving older adults in need are based on an outdated assumption that those available to support older adults are primarily a spouse and/or adult children (Fredriksen-Goldsen, Shuman, et al, 2023). Yet, a more inclusive definition of family is needed.…”