Social Isolation Typologies Among Older Adults: The Intersection of Gender and Sexual Identity

Research shows that older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults report higher social isolation than straight counterparts, while others find higher isolation among transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) than cisgender peers. Yet few nationally representative studies examine both objective and subjective isolation across gender and sexual identity. Drawing on theories of double disadvantage and minority resilience, we analyze recent Household Pulse Survey data for U.S. adults aged 50+ ( N = 216,930) to identify four isolation typologies: “the connected” (not isolated, not lonely), “lonely-in-a-crowd” (not isolated, lonely), “lone farmers” (isolated, not lonely), and “the vulnerable” (isolated, lonely). “The connected” group was most prevalent, though mismatches between isolation dimensions were common. A stepwise gradient emerged across sex assigned at birth: cisgender straight adults were most advantaged, TGNB LGB + adults most disadvantaged, and single-minority groups intermediate. For mismatched typologies, sexual minority stigma appeared more salient than gender minority stigma. These findings underscore the value of multidimensional and intersectional approaches to understanding social isolation in later life.