Anthony Lyons1, Beatrice Alba1,2, Andrea Waling1, Victor Minichiello1,3, Mark Hughes4, Karen I Fredriksen-Goldsen5, Samantha Edmonds6, Michelle Blanchard7,8,9, Corey Irlam10. 1. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society; School of Psychology and Public Health, 2080La Trobe University, Australia. 2. School of Psychology, 2104Deakin University, Australia. 3. School of Justice, Faculty of Law, 1969Queensland University of Technology, Australia. 4. School of Arts and Social Sciences, 4571Southern Cross University, Australia. 5. School of Social Work, 7284University of Washington, WA, USA. 6. Ageing with Pride, Australia. 7. 104504SANE Australia, Australia. 8. Anne Deveson Research Centre, Australia. 9. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia. 10. 289795COTA Australia, Australia.
Abstract
Objectives: Volunteering is associated with positive well-being among older people, providing opportunities to stay active and socially connected. This may be especially relevant for older lesbian and gay people, who are less likely than heterosexual people to have a partner, children or support from their family of origin. Methods: Patterns of volunteering and mental, physical and social well-being were examined in a sample of 754 lesbian and gay adults in Australia aged 60 years and older who completed a nationwide survey. Results: Volunteers reported greater positive mental health than non-volunteers. Among the gay men, volunteers additionally reported higher self-rated health and social support and lower psychological distress. Both the lesbian women and gay men who volunteered for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) organisations also reported greater LGBTI community connectedness than volunteers for non-LGBTI organisations. Discussion: These findings provide further insight into potential factors associated with the well-being of older lesbian and gay adults.
Objectives: Volunteering is associated with positive well-being among older people, providing opportunities to stay active and socially connected. This may be especially relevant for older lesbian and gay people, who are less likely than heterosexual people to have a partner, children or support from their family of origin. Methods: Patterns of volunteering and mental, physical and social well-being were examined in a sample of 754 lesbian and gay adults in Australia aged 60 years and older who completed a nationwide survey. Results: Volunteers reported greater positive mental health than non-volunteers. Among the gay men, volunteers additionally reported higher self-rated health and social support and lower psychological distress. Both the lesbian women and gay men who volunteered for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) organisations also reported greater LGBTI community connectedness than volunteers for non-LGBTI organisations. Discussion: These findings provide further insight into potential factors associated with the well-being of older lesbian and gay adults.
Entities:
Keywords:
gay; lesbian; older people; social support; volunteering