The impacts of sexual stigma on the mental health of older sexual minority men

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of sexual stigma experiences on the mental health of older gay and bisexual men in Portugal.

Methods

Self-identified older gay and bisexual men (n = 210) between 50 and 80 years old (mean age = 60.03; SD = 6.33) participated in this study. Measurement instruments included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, measures of suicidal ideation and intention, and the Sexual Stigma Scale.

Results

Older gay and bisexual men with higher levels of sexual stigma presented significantly higher anxiety, depression, somatization, and suicidal ideation scores. Correlational analyses showed significant correlations among mental health variables and sexual stigma variables. Regression analyses showed that sexual stigma explained 11% of anxiety symptoms, 10% of depression symptoms, and 9% of somatization symptoms.

Discussion

Sexual stigma has a negative impact on older gay and bisexual men’s mental health. Mental health professionals should be aware of how sexual stigma affects sexual minority men’s quality of life and work toward the reduction/elimination of sexual stigma in society.

Keywords:

• Sexual stigma
• mental health
• depression
• anxiety
• somatization
• gay men
• bisexual men
• older
• aging