Social Engagement and Minority Stress in LGBT+ Elders

Social engagement is crucial to elders' well-being. Prior research suggests that social interaction, community engagement, and support networks improve quality of life for older LGBTQ adults (Reyes et al., 2024). Additionally, social connectedness, particularly diverse networks and strong support systems, has been linked to better health outcomes in this population (Kim et al., 2024). However, gaps remain in understanding how minority stress relates to social engagement in older LGBTQ adults. This study examines these connections through a secondary analysis of data from a parent study on support networks and mental health in elders. Participants (N = 153, aged 55+) completed measures of social engagement, distal minority stress, and proximal minority stress. Contrary to our hypothesis, LGBTQ elders did not differ from cisgender, heterosexual elders in social engagement, t(143) = .16, p = .85. However, social engagement (M = 78.27, SD = 19.68) negatively correlated with distal (M = 39.15, SD = 25.65), r(58) = -.45, p < .001, and proximal minority stress (M = 3.60, SD = 5.10), r(68) = -.30, p = .014. These findings suggest that greater social engagement is linked to lower minority stress, though causality remains unclear. Future research should explore whether social engagement helps reduce minority stress or if experiencing less minority stress makes social engagement easier. Regardless of direction, this study reinforces the importance of social connection for older LGBTQ adults’ well-being (Kim et al., 2024) and highlights the need for interventions that create inclusive, affirming social spaces.