Category: LGBQT+
Brian Feinstein, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Associate Professor
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
N. Chicago, Illinois
Mark Brennan-Ing, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Evaluation
Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, CUNY
New York, New York
Brian Feinstein, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Associate Professor
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
N. Chicago, Illinois
Nicholas Perry, Ph.D.
Research assistant professor
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado
Jason Flatt, Ph.D.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Elliott Weinstein, M.P.H., M.S.
Predoctoral Psychology Trainee
University of Miami
Miami, Florida
The health disparities affecting sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations are well documented among youth and adults, but older adults (aged ≥ 50) remain underrepresented in health disparities research. The available evidence indicates that SGM older adults remain at elevated risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes compared to their non-SGM peers. This is likely related to the unique challenges that SGM older adults face (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma), which are experienced in addition to the stressors that all older adults face (e.g., functional decline). However, few studies have examined the factors that contribute to mental health and health behaviors in this population.
This year’s convention theme emphasizes the need for a scientific understanding of the mental/public health emergencies that affect our communities. SGM older adults are particularly vulnerable to these emergencies due to the confluence of physiological changes related to aging, existing health conditions, and the health consequences of minority stress. Therefore, to develop a scientific basis for responding to mental/public health emergencies, we must consider the unique challenges facing SGM older adults. To that end, this symposium highlights the range of factors that contribute to mental health and health behaviors among SGM older adults, some of which are SGM-specific (e.g., minority stress, isolation from other SGM people) and others that are relevant to all older adults (e.g., age-related discrimination, aging concerns).
The first presentation will focus on the roles of discrimination and aging concerns in the mental health of SM older adults, highlighting the complex relations between general and SM-specific risk factors for depression and anxiety. The second presentation will demonstrate that romantic relationship strain functions as a mechanism connecting internalized stigma to depression and anxiety among SM older adults in same-gender relationships. The third presentation will examine social and behavioral correlates of mental health among low-income SGM older adults, demonstrating that isolation from other SGM people, limited access to healthy foods, and poor quality of life each contribute to adverse mental health outcomes in this population. The final presentation will demonstrate that psychosocial (e.g., depression, substance use) and structural (e.g., housing) factors are both associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among SM older adults living with HIV.
By demonstrating the range of factors that contribute to mental health and health behaviors among SGM older adults, this symposium will contribute to identifying potential intervention targets to reduce the health disparities affecting this population. The symposium will conclude with remarks from a discussant who brings over two decades of research and service experience focused on improving the health of older adults, particularly SGM older adults. They will discuss efforts to reduce the health disparities affecting SGM older adults, which ultimately will require being prepared to respond to ongoing and future mental and public health emergencies.
Presenter: Brian Feinstein, Ph.D. – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Co-author: Benjamin W. Katz, PhD – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Co-author: Isabel K. Benjamin, PhD – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Co-author: Taylor Macaulay, M.S. – Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Co-author: Christina Dyar, Ph.D. – The Ohio State University
Co-author: Ethan Morgan, Ph.D. – The Ohio State University
Presenter: Nicholas Perry, Ph.D. – University of Denver
Co-author: Tamar Goldenberg, Ph.D. – University of North Carolina Greensboro
Co-author: David Huebner, Ph.D., MPH – George Washington University School of Public Health
Co-author: Andre Brown, Ph.D. – University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
Co-author: Deanna Ware, MPH – Georgetown University Medical Center
Co-author: Steven Meanley, Ph.D. – University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Co-author: Sabina Haberlen, Ph.D. – Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
Co-author: Mark Brennan-Ing, Ph.D. – Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, CUNY
Co-author: James Egan, Ph.D. – University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
Co-author: Linda Teplin, Ph.D. – feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
Co-author: Ken Ho, M.D.; MPH – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Co-author: Roger Detels, M.D., M.S. – UCLA School of Public Health
Co-author: M. Reuel Friedman, Ph.D., MPH – University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
Co-author: Michael Plankey, Ph.D. – Georgetown University School of Medicine
Presenter: Jason D. Flatt, Ph.D. – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Presenter: Elliott R. Weinstein, M.P.H., M.S. – University of Miami
Co-author: Alyssa Lozano, M.S. – University of Miami
Co-author: Daniel E. Jimenez, Ph.D. – University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Co-author: Steven A. Safren, Ph.D., ABPP – University of Miami