Sexual and Gender Identity Properties and Associations With Physical and Mental Health Among SGM Midlife and Older Adults: Findings From Aging With Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study.

Unidimensional measures of sexual and gender identity are most often used in research. Yet, sexuality and gender are defined by complex characteristics. Guided by the Health Equity Promotion Model, we assess multidimensional properties of sexual and gender identity.

Racial and Ethnic Variations in Resilience Factors Among Sexual and Gender Minority Midlife and Older Adults.

Background And Objectives: This study explores resilience factors among sexual and gender minority (SGM) midlife and older adults, identifying historical/environmental, psychological, social, and behavioral predictors, and examining variations across racial/ethnic subgroups. By adopting a resilience-focused perspective, this research contributes to understanding strengths in the SGM community in the context of aging.

Research Design And Methods: Using weighted survey data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study, this research investigates distinct risk and protective factors associated with resilience among SGM midlife and older adults.

Transgender older adults' prior military service: Mental health differences by gender identification.

Despite a proportionally higher likelihood of serving, the role of prior military service in the mental health of transgender individuals is understudied. Research on the impact of military service on mental health tends to be proximal. We examined the distal relationship between prior military service, identity stigma, and mental health among transgender older adults, drawing comparisons between transgender men and women.

Aging with Pride: Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action (IDEA).

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults and their care partners, compared to the general population, face unique vulnerabilities that exacerbate living with dementia, including elevated disparities in comorbidities, social isolation, and structural inequities, such as discrimination and lack of access to supports.

Methods: This paper describes the virtual adaptation process of the first-ever randomized controlled clinical trial intervention, Aging with Pride: Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action (IDEA), that was designed for SGM older adults living with dementia and their care partners and built upon the foundation of RDAD and NHAS.

Results: The virtual adaptation of IDEA was guided by the goals of accessibility, quality, ease of delivery, sustainability, and cultural relevance.

Preliminary Efficacy of Let's Talk Tech: Technology Use Planning for Dementia Care Dyads.

Background And Objective: Care partners of people living with dementia require support to knowledgeably navigate decision making about how and when to use monitoring technologies for care purposes. We conducted a pilot study of a novel self-administered intervention, "Let's Talk Tech," for people living with mild dementia and their care partners. This paper presents preliminary efficacy findings of this intervention designed to educate and facilitate dyadic communication about a range of technologies used in dementia care and to document the preferences of the person living with dementia.

Health, Economic, and Social Disparities among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Sexually Diverse Adults: Results from a Population-Based Study.

We investigated health, economic, and social disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and sexually diverse adults, 18 years and older. Analyzing 2011-2019 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ( = 109,527), we estimated and compared the prevalence rates of background characteristics, economic and social indicators, health outcomes, chronic conditions, health care access, health behaviors, and preventive care by gender and sexual identity. Sexual minority adults reported heightened risks of poor general health, physical and mental health, disability, subjective cognitive decline, and financial barriers to health care, compared with their straight counterparts.

The Role of Contextual Factors in the Health Care Utilization of Aging LGBT Adults.

Background And Objectives: Research suggests lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations have unique health care challenges. The purpose of this study was to understand contextual factors, including minority stress and social resources, associated with the health care utilization of LGBT middle-aged and older adults.

Research Design And Methods: Using data from the Caring and Aging With Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (N = 2,560), multiple logistic regression investigated associations between minority stress (i.

Health, economic and social disparities among transgender women, transgender men and transgender nonbinary adults: Results from a population-based study.

We investigated health, economic, and social disparities among transgender adults (transgender women, men, and nonbinary) aged 18 years and older. Using population-based data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (WA-BRFSS), we pooled 2016 through 2019 data (n = 47,894). We estimated weighted distributions and prevalence by gender identity for background characteristics, economic, social and health indicators.

Utilization of Recommended Preventive Health Screenings Between Transgender and Cisgender Older Adults in Sexual and Gender Minority Communities.

ObjectivesTransgender older adults are among the most health disparate populations in the United States; they also face some of the most significant barriers in accessing high quality, affordable, preventive healthcare services. We compare utilization rates of eight recommended preventive health screenings for adults aged 50 and older, by gender identity. We analyzed data from 2514 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults aged 50 and older, testing associations between gender identities and screening service utilizations by applying a series of multivariate logistic regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographics.

Social Resource Variations Among LGBT Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Intersections of Sociodemographic Characteristics.

Background And Objectives: Understanding the influence of social resources on health is crucial in gerontological research. However, access to social resources may differ by one's particular lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) identity and the intersection of LGBT identity with other sociodemographic characteristics, including age.

Research Design And Methods: Using 2010 data from Caring and Aging With Pride (N = 2,536), this study examined how access to social resources varied by LGBT identity and whether the effect of LGBT identity was modified by additional sociodemographic characteristics among LGBT adults aged 50-95 years.

Are dementia services and support organisations meeting the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) caregivers of LGBT people living with dementia? A scoping review of the literature.

Objectives: More than 60% of people with dementia live at home, where assistance is usually provided by informal caregivers. Research on the experiences of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) caregivers is limited. This scoping review of the literature synthesizes international evidence on support provision for the population of LGBT caregivers.

Disparities in Subjective Cognitive Impairment by Sexual Orientation and Gender in a National Population Based Study of U.S. Adults, 2013-2018.

: This is the first national population-based study to examine cognitive impairment disparities among sexual minority mid-life and older adults. : Using the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2018), we compared weighted prevalence of subjective cognitive impairment by sexual orientation and gender, among those aged 45 plus, applying logistic regressions adjusting for age, income, education, race/ethnicity, and survey years. : Sexual minorities (24.

Volunteering among Older Lesbian and Gay Adults: Associations with Mental, Physical and Social Well-Being.

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. 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.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Identity in Women and Men Prenatally Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol.

We assessed the associations of prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, a potent estrogen, with sexual orientation and gender identity in 3306 women and 1848 men who participated in a study of prenatal DES exposure. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from logistic regression models adjusted for birth year, study cohort, and education. Among women, the OR for DES in relation to reporting sexual orientation identity as nonheterosexual was 0.

Are Sexual Minorities Less Likely to Participate in Surveys? An Examination of Proxy Nonresponse Measures and Associated Biases with Sexual Orientation in a Population-Based Health Survey.

One of the implicit assumptions in survey research is lower response rates by sexual minorities than non-minorities. With rapidly changing public attitudes towards same-sex marriage, we reconsider this assumption. We used data from the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) that include contact history data for all sample families (n=117,589) as well as sexual orientation information about adults sampled from responding families (n=71,110).

Accounting for HIV Health Disparities: Risk and Protective Factors Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men.

This study examines whether disparities exist in poor health and depressive symptomatology among older gay/bisexual men (50+) with ( = 371) and without ( = 973) HIV. If so, what risk/promoting factors account for those disparities? These cross-sectional analyses used 2014 data from the Aging With Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study. Those with HIV reported poorer health and more depressive symptomatology accounted for by lower income, resilience and social support, and more lifetime victimization.

Iridescent Life Course: LGBTQ Aging Research and Blueprint for the Future - A Systematic Review.

Background: LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer) older adults are demographically diverse and growing populations. In an earlier 25-year review of the literature on sexual orientation and aging, we identified four waves of research that addressed dispelling negative stereotypes, psychosocial adjustment to aging, identity development, and social and community-based support in the lives of LGBTQ older adults.

Objectives: The current review was designed to develop an evidence base for the field of LGBTQ aging as well as to assess the strengths and limitations of the existing research and to articulate a blueprint for future research.

Lifesaving in Every Way: The Role of Companion Animals in the Lives of Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adults Age 50 and Over.

This study uses mixed-methods data and a life-course perspective to explore the role of pets in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults age 50 and over and addresses the following research questions: (1) How does having a pet relate to perceived social support and social network size? and (2) how do LGBT older adults describe the meaning of pets in their lives? The qualitative data ( N = 59) were collected from face-to-face interviews, and the quantitative data ( N = 2,560) were collected via surveys from a sample across the United States. Qualitative findings show that pets are characterized as kin and companions and provide support; we also explore why participants do not have pets. The quantitative findings show that LGBT older adults with a pet had higher perceived social support; those with a disability and limited social network size, who had a pet had significantly higher perceived social support than those without a pet.

Plan of Action for Real-World Translation of LGBTQ Health and Aging Research.

Despite accumulating evidence of health disparities, there exists limited translational research to enhance optimal health and aging of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) older adults. Based on the Health Equity Promotion Model that addresses the distinct needs and strengths of LGBTQ older adults, we underscore the important role of collaborations among researchers, practitioners, and communities to build community capacity. Given the rapidly shifting context, we advance principles to guide future work that will enhance translational research and the development of evidence-based practice so that LGBTQ older adults can reach their full health potential.

Chronic Health Conditions and Key Health Indicators Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Older US Adults, 2013-2014.

Objectives: To examine disparities in chronic conditions and health indicators among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 50 years or older in the United States.

Methods: We used data from the 2013 and 2014 National Health Interview Survey to compare disparities in chronic conditions, health outcomes and behaviors, health care access, and preventive health care by sexual orientation and gender.

Results: LGB older adults were significantly more likely than heterosexual older adults to have a weakened immune system and low back or neck pain.

A Collaboration for Health and Wellness: GRIOT Circle and Caring and Aging with Pride.

Despite growing racial and ethnic diversity among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) older adults in the United States, LGBTQ older adults of color largely are invisible in aging services, research, and public policy. GRIOT Circle and Caring and Aging with Pride are pioneering efforts in community-based services and research. This article describes innovative and effective ways to reach and serve LGBTQ older adults of color, how research can be designed collaboratively to address strengths and disparities in social, health, and economic well-being, and barriers to accessing aging services in these populations.

Depression Among Transgender Older Adults: General and Minority Stress.

This study aims to (a) examine the direct and indirect effects internalized heterosexism, disclosure of gender identity, and perceived general stress in association with depression among transgender older adults; and (b) to assess the relative contribution of each relationship. Secondary analyses of data from a large community-based study of older sexual and gender minorities were conducted utilizing structural equation modeling with a subsample (n = 174) of transgender adults aged 50 to 86-years old. Disclosure of gender identity had no significant direct or indirect effects on either perceived general stress or depression.

Factors Associated With High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Among LGB Older Adults: The Roles of Gender, Social Support, Perceived Stress, Discrimination, and Stigma.

Purpose Of The Study: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have elevated rates of high-risk alcohol consumption compared with heterosexual adults. Although drinking tends to decline with age in the general population, we know little about LGB older adults' drinking. Using 2014 data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS), we aimed to identify factors associated with high-risk drinking in LGB older adults.