Christi L Nelson1, Ross Andel1,2,3. 1. School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa. 2. International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic. 3. Department of Neurology, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Based on the Minority Stress Theory, this article examines the associations between sexual orientation and self-reported measures of physical, mental, and cognitive health, as well as health risk behaviors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The analytical sample included members of the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study aged 50+ years. Binary and ordered logistic regressions were conducted to assess whether being a sexual minority was associated with poorer self-rated physical, mental, and cognitive health, as well as being more likely to engage in health risk behaviors. RESULTS: In analyses using overall and propensity-matched samples, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) participants were about twice as likely to report ever having depression as their heterosexual counterparts but were also more likely to report better self-rated health. The LGB group was more likely to report ever having smoked but were not significantly different in any of the other health risk behaviors. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: LGB individuals appear to be at greater risk of ever experiencing depression than heterosexual individuals but, at the same time, report better physical health. This may suggest a tendency for resilience. Differences in health risk behavior may also exist. Mental health and other medical professionals should receive special training to better understand the unique problems of LGB individuals.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Based on the Minority Stress Theory, this article examines the associations between sexual orientation and self-reported measures of physical, mental, and cognitive health, as well as health risk behaviors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The analytical sample included members of the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study aged 50+ years. Binary and ordered logistic regressions were conducted to assess whether being a sexual minority was associated with poorer self-rated physical, mental, and cognitive health, as well as being more likely to engage in health risk behaviors. RESULTS: In analyses using overall and propensity-matched samples, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) participants were about twice as likely to report ever having depression as their heterosexual counterparts but were also more likely to report better self-rated health. The LGB group was more likely to report ever having smoked but were not significantly different in any of the other health risk behaviors. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: LGB individuals appear to be at greater risk of ever experiencing depression than heterosexual individuals but, at the same time, report better physical health. This may suggest a tendency for resilience. Differences in health risk behavior may also exist. Mental health and other medical professionals should receive special training to better understand the unique problems of LGB individuals.
Authors: Joel G Anderson; Jennifer M Jabson Tree; Jason D Flatt; Alden L Gross; Ishan C Williams; Karen M Rose Journal: J Appl Gerontol Date: 2022-03-26
Authors: Joel G Anderson; Marissa Bartmess; Jennifer M Jabson Tree; Jason D Flatt Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2021-02-18 Impact factor: 2.579