The moderation of socio-demographics in physical and mental health disparities among Israeli gay and heterosexual middle-aged and older men

Abstract

Objectives

Physical and mental health disparities were explored among Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men alongside the moderating role of age, relationship status, and place of birth.

Method

173 middle-aged and older gay men were individually matched with 173 middle-aged and older heterosexual men at the age range of 50–86 (M = 60.56, SD = 8.42). All participants completed measures of doctor visits, physical health comorbidity, depressive symptoms, and anxiety.

Results

Israeli middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men did not significantly differ on physical or mental health indicators. However, a more differential analysis revealed that older age and relationship status had a moderating role, such that older gay men reported more physical health comorbidity in comparison to older heterosexual men. Similarly, gay men who were not in a steady relationship reported more frequent visits to the doctor and more anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not in a steady relationship. Additionally, immigration history appeared as a potential resiliency factor, such that gay men who were not born in Israel reported less frequent doctor visits and less anxiety in comparison to heterosexual men who were not born in Israel.

Conclusions

This study presents a pioneering examination of physical and mental health disparities in an Israeli sample of middle-aged and older gay and heterosexual men. These results may call the attention of clinicians and policymakers to both vulnerabilities and strengths of middle-aged and older gay men.

Keywords:

• Health disparities
• physical and mental health
• middle-aged and older gay men
• sexual orientation

Compliance with ethical standards

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by The Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research.