LIVING WITH FLYING COLORS: ASSOCIATIONS AMONG LGBTQ+ IDENTITY, RELIGIOSITY, SPIRITUALITY, COMMUNITY, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING AMONG LGBTQ+ OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Experiences of discrimination and prejudice place LGBTQ+ individuals in older adulthood (i.e., 55 years old and older) at risk for poor overall well-being. This risk can be especially salient in the Southern and Midwestern U.S., where LGBTQ+ individuals enjoy fewer legal protections than in the Northeast and Western regions of the U.S. In defiance of these odds, LGBTQ+ individuals in older adulthood cultivate overall well-being through psychological-level constructs, like LGBTQ+ identity affirmation, and community-level constructs, LGBTQ+ community connection. Yet, little research has examined these avenues of strength among LGBTQ+ individuals in older adulthood. Guided by Iridescent Life Course Theory and the Flourish Index of overall well-being, the current study quantitatively investigated the impact of LGBTQ+ identity affirmation, LGBTQ+ community connection, religiosity, spirituality, and religious support on overall well-being among LGBTQ+ adults in older adulthood. Participants (N = 95) completed a 30-minute survey on their experiences with LGBTQ+ identity, the LGBTQ+ community, religiosity and spirituality, religious support, and well-being. The present study found that higher spirituality was associated with better overall well-being among the sample. Additionally, higher LGBTQ+ identity affirmation was associated with more LGBTQ+ community connection, and higher spirituality and religiosity were associated with more religious support. Findings from this study could inform cultural competency for LGBTQ+ individuals in older adulthood in healthcare settings, advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in policy, and inform religious organizations of the unique religious and spiritual needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in older adulthood