TY - JOUR
T1 - Disparities in health and disability among older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships
AU - Gonzales, Gilbert
AU - Henning-Smith, Carrie E
PY - 2015/4/20
Y1 - 2015/4/20
N2 - Objective: The present study compared indicators of impaired health and disability between older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships and their peers in opposite-sex cohabiting relationships. Method: Data were obtained on men (n = 698) and women (n = 630) aged 50 years and older and in self-reported same-sex relationships from the National Health Interview Survey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to estimate differences in physical health, mental health, and disability status. Results: Compared with their peers in married opposite-sex relationships, older men in same-sex relationships exhibited greater odds of psychological distress, and older women in same-sex relationships experienced elevated odds of poor/fair health, needing help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, functional limitations, and psychological distress. Discussion: This study adds to the limited information on health and disability among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. As this population grows, gerontologists must develop a better understanding of the unique issues and challenges facing them and their families.
AB - Objective: The present study compared indicators of impaired health and disability between older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships and their peers in opposite-sex cohabiting relationships. Method: Data were obtained on men (n = 698) and women (n = 630) aged 50 years and older and in self-reported same-sex relationships from the National Health Interview Survey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to estimate differences in physical health, mental health, and disability status. Results: Compared with their peers in married opposite-sex relationships, older men in same-sex relationships exhibited greater odds of psychological distress, and older women in same-sex relationships experienced elevated odds of poor/fair health, needing help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, functional limitations, and psychological distress. Discussion: This study adds to the limited information on health and disability among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. As this population grows, gerontologists must develop a better understanding of the unique issues and challenges facing them and their families.
KW - and bisexual (LGB)
KW - discrimination
KW - gay
KW - lesbian
KW - minority health
KW - stigma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84924977143&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84924977143&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0898264314551332
DO - 10.1177/0898264314551332
M3 - Article
C2 - 25253727
AN - SCOPUS:84924977143
VL - 27
SP - 432
EP - 453
JO - Journal of Aging and Health
JF - Journal of Aging and Health
SN - 0898-2643
IS - 3
ER -