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Social support as a predictor of psychological and physical well-being and lifestyle in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 50 and over
- Authors:
- MASINI Blase E., BARRETT Hope A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 20(1/2), 2008, pp.91-110.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Ageing gay, lesbian and bisexual people often differ from their heterosexual counterparts in their social networks. This study is based on a sample of 220 American adults over 50 who were mainly White, well educated and employed. Social networks were used to predict physical and psychological well-being and lifestyle/risk. The respondents had an average 2.5 members in their social networks, with 56% possessing at least one close friend. Support from friends rather than family predicted higher mental quality of life and lower depression, anxiety and internalised homophobia. The respondents functioned within normal limits on most psychological measures but had serious health risks in relation to alcohol consumption and obesity (in women). (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).