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Well-Being in Older Gays and Lesbians: A Comparison of Predictors

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the predictors of subjective well-being and their variations between older gays and older lesbians. Participants were 143 gays and 66 lesbians aged 56–80 who reside in Israel. Assessments included subjective well-being, hope, health, participation, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADLs, environment and living conditions, and accessibility and availability of community services. In the fully-adjusted models, hope and health were the most potent predictors of subjective well-being, respectively, among gays and lesbians. Additional significant predictors, among gays, were community availability and accessibility and satisfaction with one’s environment and living conditions. Findings suggest that while primary predictors of subjective well-being are similar among gays and lesbians, communal and residential factors are unique significant contributors to the subjective well-being of gays. It may be that among older lesbians, but not among older gays, personal resources are more important contributors to subjective well-being in comparison to community-based resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Omer Sagie

  2. Kibbutz Ma’ayan-Zvi, Hof HaCarmel, P.O.B. 30805, Haifa, Israel

    Omer Sagie

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  1. Omer Sagie
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Correspondence to Omer Sagie.

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Sagie, O. Well-Being in Older Gays and Lesbians: A Comparison of Predictors. Soc Indic Res 126, 395–409 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0894-9

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