The relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men: the moderating role of sense of belonging with gay friends

McLaren, Suzanne

doi:10.1017/s1041610216001241

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Variables such as living situation (e.g., living alone) seem to be positively associated with loneliness among older and gay people (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al, 2011;Hughes, 2015;Rickard & Yancey, 2018). For older gay men, living alone is associated with depressive symptoms, less attachment to friends and greater isolation (McLaren, 2016(McLaren, , 2020. However, in our study we did not corroborate these findings; It is likely that measuring the construct with a different measurement scale-not dichotomous-the expected result would be that confirmed.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

“…LGBT community connectedness was also a negative predictor of loneliness in older Portuguese gay men, though similarly influenced by education. Indeed, some studies indicate that LGBT community connectedness seems to contribute significantly to decreasing depressive symptoms and reduced feelings of sadness and isolation, increasing overall well-being and the sense of belonging and protection (Frost & Meyer, 2012;McLaren, 2016). Particularly in Portugal, mainly due to the difficulty of access to community and health resources in the older gay men, LGBT community connectedness has been found to be an important resource for the coming out of older gay men and for the reduction of distress levels, although there is still a need for more social/ community investment to support Portuguese older gay men (Ribeiro- Gonçalves et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, some studies have highlighted that a strong connection to the LGBT community may be an important protective factor for older LGBT persons (e.g., Frost & Meyer, 2012); LGBT community connectedness has been seen to ameliorate depressive symptomatology and mitigating the feeling of isolation promoting a sense of belongingness and protection (Frost & Meyer, 2012;McLaren, 2016). Further, several studies have provided evidence of the importance of friends, neighbors, and relatives in the lives of older LGBT adults (de Vries & Megathlin, 2009), while also predicting positive adjustment to aging and prevention of loneliness .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness, Social Support, and Adjustment to Aging in Older Portuguese Gay Men

et al. 2021

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Background Older LGBT adults are growing in visibility throughout the Western world. An emerging body of research reveals that this population is at greater risk for a variety of negative physical and mental health problems compared to the general population. One such problem is loneliness, which is emerging as a major public health issue around the world. Unfortunately, loneliness has not been studied in a diverse range of older LGBT people. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of loneliness, as well as possible demographic and psychosocial predictors, in a population of older Portuguese gay men. Methods Using online surveys, 110 older Portuguese gay men (mean age = 63.5) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale for Portuguese Older Adults, Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale and Adjustment to Aging Scale, as well as measures of support from family and friends. Results Overall, high levels of loneliness were found, particularly among those with lower education levels. Low levels of family support, friends support and connectedness to the LGBT community were all significant predictors of loneliness in the regression analyses, but adjustment to aging was not. Conclusions These findings add to the international literature on the correlates of loneliness among older sexual minorities. Such findings may inform the development of psychosocial interventions and promote healthcare engagement among older sexual minorities, which are important steps toward reducing health disparities that affect this population.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness, Social Support, and Adjustment to Aging in Older Portuguese Gay Men

et al. 2021

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“…However, whether this construct accounts for the increased risk of self-harm in LGB individuals is unclear. Fostering belongingness amongst LGB individuals has been suggested as a means of increasing resilience to difficulties including self-harm (Aranmolate, Bogan, Tiffany Hoard, & Mawsomolate, 2017;McLaren, 2016), but studies in LGB individuals, have had mixed results regarding whether belongingness is associated with suicidal ideation (Baams, Grossman, & Russell, 2015;Cramer, Stroud, Fraser, & Graham, 2014;Hill & Pettit, 2012;Woodward, Wingate, Gray, & Pantalone, 2014).…”

Section: Psychological Correlates Of Self-harm Within Gay Lesbian Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Correlates of Self-Harm within Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual UK University Students

Taylor

Dhingra

Dickson

et al. 2018

Archives of Suicide Research

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This study explores the association between lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) status and self-harm in UK higher education students. There is currently limited data on this association, and the role psychological variables have in potentially explaining this link, in UK students. We examine whether LGB status is associated with self-harm (both non-suicidal self-injury [NSSI] and suicide attempts [SA]), and whether 4 psychological variables (depression, anxiety, belongingness, self-esteem) mediate this association. A cross-sectional survey was used. UK university students (n = 707) completed an online survey including measures of self-harm, affective symptoms, belongingness, and self-esteem. Latent Variable Modelling (LVM) was used to test our hypotheses. LGB status remained associated with an elevated risk of NSSI and SA even after accounting for mediating factors. Self-esteem and (in the case of SA but not NSSI) thwarted belongingness, did, however, explain some of this association and were correlated with self-harm risk. The findings suggest that psychological factors may account for the association between LGB status and self-harm and, as such, prevention and intervention efforts directed at these psychological mediators may help to reduce self-harm risk in this population.

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“…The care and support of fellow gay friends is thought to constitute an integral element of community connectedness, with gay friendships emphasised as having particular importance for middle-aged and older gay men because these subgroups are at heightened risk of isolation and depression (McLaren, 2016b). However, studies also indicate that gay friendships are often limited by an unwillingness to discuss the issue of suicide in earnest, owing to a pervasive, stigma-related silence surrounding the issue, with this impacting on social support and reinforcing feelings of shame in suicidal gay men (Ferlatte, Oliffe, Louie, et al, 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Daring to speak its name: Perceptions of suicidal ideation among Australian gay men

Olstein

Finn

2021

Journal Community Psychology

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Suicidal ideation is approximately three times more prevalent in gay men than heterosexual men with research tending to focus on causation rather than protective factors. This exploratory study examined how gay men perceived suicidal ideation among members of their own community, and whether the support of gay friends was perceived as protective. Twenty‐three Australian gay men (aged between 18 and 65) participated in the study, with qualitative data obtained through the method of story completion. Constructionist thematic analysis highlighted ways in which a fictitious gay male protagonist with suicidal thoughts was viewed as reluctant to reveal these thoughts. However, when the character did, he was seen to benefit from the compassionate involvement of his gay friend. Additionally, the gay protagonist was perceived as experiencing stressors that heightened his community's minority status. Practically, the findings indicated that gay friends could play an important role in assisting their peers recover from suicidal ideation.

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The relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men: the moderating role of sense of belonging with gay friends

Cited by 14 publications

References 32 publications

Loneliness, Social Support, and Adjustment to Aging in Older Portuguese Gay Men

Loneliness, Social Support, and Adjustment to Aging in Older Portuguese Gay Men

Psychological Correlates of Self-Harm within Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual UK University Students

Daring to speak its name: Perceptions of suicidal ideation among Australian gay men

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