Relations of religion with depression and loneliness in older sexual and gender minority adults

C. Escher · Rowena G. Gomez · Selvi R. Paulraj · Flora Ma · Stephanie Spies-Upton · Carlton S. L. Cummings +3 more

35 citations0/0 files storedClinical Gerontologist

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Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology Religion and Society Interactions LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: High levels of religious involvement have been associated with positive mental health outcomes in older adults. This study investigated whether the effects of religion on healthy aging could generalize to older LGBTQ adults. METHODS: This study examined religious affiliation in childhood versus at present, as well as the relationships of outness to religious community and religious engagement with depression and loneliness in 102 lesbian, gay, and bisexual cisgender, transgender, and questioning adults (LGBTQ) over the age of 55. As part of a larger study, participants completed several questions and measures including: one outness to religious community item, 4 religious engagement questions, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the 8-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: Many older LGBTQ adults reported changes in religious affiliation from childhood to adulthood. Greater levels of outness to religious communities and lower religious engagement were related to lower levels of depression and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that outness to religious communities may be beneficial to the mental health of older LGBTQ adults. Higher levels of distress may lead to higher levels of religious engagement. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Religion, especially those that are supportive of sexual minorities, may help to improve the well-being of older LGBTQ adults.

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References

1977The CES-D Scale 2003Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence.1980The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: Concurrent and discriminant validity evidence.2000Religious involvement and mortality: A meta-analytic review.2004Religious Coping Methods as Predictors of Psychological, Physical and Spiritual Outcomes among Medically Ill Elderly Patients: A Two-year Longitudinal Study 1997Frequent attendance at religious services and mortality over 28 years.2001Religious attendance increases survival by improving and maintaining good health behaviors, mental health, and social relationships 2000Perceptions and consequences of ageism: views of older people

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