ABSTRACT
There is very little research focused on older bereaved lesbians. This study is a response to the lack of knowledge about the issues for older lesbians who lose a partner. We examined bereavement issues for 55 older lesbians. The study asked participants to describe their concerns and experiences after losing a partner. Qualitative analysis identified several themes that ran throughout, including disenfranchised grief, the loneliness of isolation, and the frustration of relentless battles. These findings indicate the need for social workers to educate themselves and others about the particular needs facing this vulnerable group of older women.
Subject(s)
Bereavement , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Spouses/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Grief , Humans , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Social Work , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Previous literature has consistently discussed reoccurring issues with conducting research in the gay and lesbian community and, for the purposes of this article, particularly the older lesbian community. Issues with sampling, including gaining access, ethical considerations, and conceptual definitions are ongoing struggles repeated within the literature. This article provides the experience of a research team in conducting such research and presents the viable solutions and ongoing barriers, as well as newer considerations that future research must take into account. In addition, this article provides the viewpoint of 189 older lesbians on the future research needs within their community.
Subject(s)
Homosexuality, Female , Research , Aged , Ethics, Research , Female , Health Services Needs and Demand , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Humans , Racial Groups/psychology , Research Design , Sampling Studies , Social Work , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
In response to the very limited and mostly outdated literature on older lesbian sexuality, this exploratory study examined older lesbian sexual identity, romantic relationships, the impact of aging, and experiences of discrimination within these contexts. Utilizing an online survey that recruited via numerous online lesbian communities and snowball sampling, 456 lesbians over the age of 50 responded to closed, Likert scale, and open-ended questions that provided a preliminary understanding of older lesbian sexuality. The results indicated that older lesbians have experienced fluidity in past romantic and sexual relationships, as well as in erotic fantasies, despite strong identification with being lesbian. The findings also indicate a decreased focus on sexuality in the context of relationships, with more focus on stability and continuity. Future research is needed that provides greater specificity and detail about older lesbian conceptions of sexual behavior and sexual identity labels, as well as specific sexual behaviors.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Gender Identity , Homosexuality, Female/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Marriage , Middle Aged , Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Older lesbians are, at minimum, a triple threat of marginalization due to ageism, heterosexism, and sexism. A national survey specific to this often-invisible population has not occurred in over 25 years. The present study was completed to reveal the needs, strengths, and experiences of the current cohort of older lesbians. Four hundred fifty-six older lesbians responded to an online survey on topics including sociodemographics, social activity, health, sexual identity, family relationships, romantic relationships, service/program use, mental health, end-of-life care, and discrimination. The results and implications are included as well as a comparison to the last studied cohort.
Subject(s)
Aging/psychology , Homosexuality, Female/psychology , Prejudice , Resilience, Psychological , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Health Status , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Middle Aged , Social Participation , Social SupportABSTRACT
Guided by previous studies and the community assets perspective, a concurrent mixed-method case study was conducted five years after a devastating flood to investigate how invisible community assets played a role in Princeville's rebuilding process from the flood of 1999. The independent variables in this study included retrospectively assessed elected leadership, community cohesion, and depression. The dependent variables were the perceived financial recovery to the pre-disaster level and the current emotional status. The quantitative method (n=127) indicates a statistically significant relationship between the retrospectively assessed depression and the financial recovery (Spearman's rho=.327, p<.001). Chi-square coefficient reveals that elected leaders' ability to mobilize needed resources was also significantly related to the financial recovery (Cramers' V=.350, p=.013). Qualitative methods identified the community's symbolic meaning and unique needs of being an aged community as the most precious internal assets of the community during the rebuilding process. Major implications are discussed.
