GayBy Boomers’ Social Support: Exploring the Connection Between Health and Emotional and Instrumental Support in Older Gay Men

Abstract

We evaluate the association between emotional and instrumental support and perceived health and depression symptoms in a sample of 182 gay/bisexual men age ≥ 55. Perceived health was positively correlated with number of sources of emotional support and depression was negatively associated with instrumental support and health care providers’ knowledge of patients’ sexual orientation. Depression mediates the connection between providers’ knowledge of patients’ sexual orientation and perceived health. Number of sources of emotional support varied negatively with age and ethnic minority status, and positively with living with a partner. Instrumental support seemed to be dependent on living with a partner.

KEYWORDS:

• older men
• aging
• gay men
• social support
• perceived health

Notes

1. ¹But see Shippy, Cantor, and Brennan (2007), who found that older gay men do have close friendships. This is based in a small sample of older gay men in New York City.

2. ²We cannot ascertain if participants interpreted this as being in a civil union (which is legal in Chicago) or being married. Furthermore, these respondents could have married in another state or country.

3. ³Please note that no cognitive testing was done in the development of the protocol.