Spirituality and Psychological Well-being as Buffers of Suicide Probability among Selected Young Filipino Gay Men and Lesbian Women

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.

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Using Grounded Theory to Understand a Cutting-Edge Issue: Effects of Integrative Tactics on Chinese Gay Men’s and Lesbians’ Social Well-Being

International Journal of Qualitative Methods ◽

10.1177/1609406919898348 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 160940691989834

Author(s):

Xuan Ning ◽

Chau-Kiu Cheung ◽

Sijia Guo

Keyword(s):

Grounded Theory ◽

Gay Men ◽

Soft Power ◽

Well Being ◽

Critical Conditions ◽

Primary Concern ◽

Lesbian Women ◽

Power Bases ◽

Negotiation Processes ◽

Social Minorities

This study aims to demonstrate how grounded theory can be used to explore and analyze negotiation processes between self-identified gay men and lesbians and their parents. For a majority of Chinese gay men and lesbians, marriage proves to be the primary concern that drives negotiations with parents. Extant research documents the precarious consequences of gay men’s and lesbians’ social well-being yielded by these negotiations, which primarily employ distributive negotiating tactics. As integrative tactics prove to be conducive to favorable outcomes, their application in same-sex children’s negotiation with parents informs the present study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 Chinese participants (15 gay men and 10 lesbian women). Grounded theory analysis of interviewee data identified a grounded theory of soft-power-based negotiation, which illustrated detailed negotiation processes between gay men and lesbians and their parents and critical conditions mediating this process. The grounded theory elaborated concrete soft-power bases and integrative tactics used by participants and their parents. Conditions for integrative tactics to sustain gay men and lesbians’ social well-being emerged. Results implied viable solutions for resolving conflicts between social minorities and social majorities in general.

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Internalized Stigma and Psychological Well-Being in Gay Men and Lesbians in Italy and Belgium

Social Sciences ◽

10.3390/socsci4041229 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 1229-1242 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Giorgia Lorenzi ◽

Marina Miscioscia ◽

Lucia Ronconi ◽

Caterina Pasquali ◽

Alessandra Simonelli

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Well Being ◽

Internalized Stigma ◽

Psychological Well Being

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A study of psychological well-being among gay men using the GHQ-30

British Journal of Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1111/j.2044-8260.1993.tb01047.x ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 218-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Adrian Coyle

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being

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Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children

10.1542/9781610024730-barriers ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 82-90

Author(s):

Ellen C. Perrin ◽

Sean M. Hurley ◽

Kathryn Mattern ◽

Lila Flavin ◽

Ellen E. Pinderhughes

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Religious Institutions ◽

Lesbian Women ◽

Gay Fathers ◽

Heterosexual Relationship

BACKGROUND Gay men have become fathers in the context of a heterosexual relationship, by adoption, by donating sperm to 1 or 2 lesbian women and subsequently sharing parenting responsibilities, and/or by engaging the services of a surrogate pregnancy carrier. Despite legal, medical, and social advances, gay fathers and their children continue to experience stigma and avoid situations because of fear of stigma. Increasing evidence reveals that stigma is associated with reduced well-being of children and adults, including psychiatric symptoms and suicidality. METHODS Men throughout the United States who identified as gay and fathers completed an online survey. Dissemination of the survey was enhanced via a “snowball” method, yielding 732 complete responses from 47 states. The survey asked how the respondent had become a father, whether he had encountered barriers, and whether he and his child(ren) had experienced stigma in various social contexts. RESULTS Gay men are increasingly becoming fathers via adoption and with assistance of an unrelated pregnancy carrier. Their pathways to fatherhood vary with socioeconomic class and the extent of legal protections in their state. Respondents reported barriers to becoming a father and stigma associated with fatherhood in multiple social contexts, most often in religious institutions. Fewer barriers and less stigma were experienced by fathers living in states with more legal protections. CONCLUSIONS Despite growing acceptance of parenting by same-gender adults, barriers and stigma persist. States’ legal and social protections for lesbian and gay individuals and families appear to be effective in reducing experiences of stigma for gay fathers.

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Identity Support, Identity Devaluation, and Well-Being Among Lesbians

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00176.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 140-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Kristin P. Beals ◽

Letitia Anne Peplau

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Negative Association ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Lesbian Women ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Daily Experience

This research tested predictions about the association of identity support and identity devaluation with psychological well-being (self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression). Lesbian women completed baseline surveys ( N = 42), then provided daily experience reports during a 2-week period ( n = 38), and completed a 2-month follow-up survey ( n = 34). Several types of evidence consistently demonstrated the importance of identity support for well-being. Lesbians who reported more identity support scored higher on measures of well-being at initial assessment, during the daily phase of the study, and at the follow-up. Comparable results were found for the negative association between identity devaluation and well-being. Identity measures proved to be significant predictors of lesbians' well-being even after controlling for other types of support and social stress. Both identity support and identity devaluation contributed independently to the prediction of daily self-esteem and life satisfaction. Strengths and limitations of this study are discussed.

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