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The Prevalence of Elder Bullying and Impact on LGBT Elders

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Handbook of LGBT Elders

Abstract

This chapter reviews bullying and relational aggression among LGBT older adults. The intent of this chapter is to define and characterize late-life bullying in general and discuss unique manifestations of this phenomenon for LGBT elders. Special attention is given to peer victimization associated with intersectionality and microaggressions for this population, as well as common types of bullying and the impact bullying experiences have on emotional well-being and quality of life. Promising interventions to minimize bullying related to sexual orientation and gender identity in senior living environments are discussed and include civility training, bystander intervention, and policies and procedures that guide respectful social interactions and prohibit discriminatory actions.

Author’s note: I would like to thank Sherri Shimansky for her review of earlier versions of this chapter and her thoughtful recommendations for strengthening it.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Throughout this chapter, when first names are used, the name is fictitious; when full or last names are used, the name is actually the individual’s name as reported in a publically accessible resource.

  2. 2.

    Having their sexual orientation or gender identity revealed to others against their will.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA

    Robin P. Bonifas

Authors
  1. Robin P. Bonifas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robin P. Bonifas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Debra A. Harley

  2. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Pamela B. Teaster

Appendices

Appendix Items Developed with Sherri Shimansky, MSW, MPA

Discussion Box 18.1

Discussion Questions:

  1. 1.

    The chapter explains that one of the differences between late-life bullying and elder abuse is that with bullying, the victim is not dependent on the bully for care or services, whereas with abuse, the victim is dependent on the abuser in some capacity? What other differences exist between bullying and abuse?

  2. 2.

    Much attention has been given to bullying among children and youth in contrast to bullying among older adults; why do you think disparities exist between these two age groups in perceptions of the seriousness of the problem? How can we raise awareness of both the existence of late-life bullying and its negative impact on elder well-being?

  3. 3.

    One of the interventions suggested in the chapter is to offer older adults who bully healthy alternatives for obtaining power or a sense of control, for example, by leading a group or organizing an event; what are some other potential strategies for increasing power that would not violate the rights of others?

  4. 4.

    The chapter addresses bullying interventions at the organizational level; what interventions might be appropriate to change the behaviors of individuals who bully? What about strategies to minimize negative outcomes for victims?

Learning Exercises

  1. 1.

    Read more about the disparities and resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults in Fredrikson-Goldsen et al. 2011 full report available at: http://caringandaging.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Full-Report-FINAL-11-16-11.pdf

  2. 2.

    Read “LGBT Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities: Stories from the Field”—the collaboration of six organizations seeking to better understand these experiences is available at: http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=%2054

  3. 3.

    Research the term “Lavender Scare” online to learn more about the historical perspectives on sexual orientation and gender identity that influenced LGBT elders’ earlier life experiences.

  4. 4.

    Read the 2012 SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and National Center for Transgender Equality report “Improving the Lives of Transgender Older Adults” to learn more about the specific social, economic, and service barriers facing gender non-conforming elders available at: http://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/resources/TransAgingPolicyReportFull.pdf

  5. 5.

    Learn more about LGBT rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act from Natalie Chin of Lambda Legal. Video available on YouTube and at: http://www.sageusa.org/resources/videos.cfm?ID=153

  6. 6.

    Read how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender aging issues are becoming federal concerns by Loree Cook-Daniels (2011) available at: http://forge-forward.org/wp-content/docs/LGBT-federal-policy-changes.pdf

Self-Check Questions

  1. 1.

    What are the three types of bullying discussed in the chapter?

  2. 2.

    What is relational aggression?

  3. 3.

    How is bullying distinguished from abuse?

  4. 4.

    What are examples of ‘intersectionality’?

  5. 5.

    What anti-LGBT bullying tactics were used in the chapter?

  6. 6.

    How can peers or onlookers intervene to disrupt the bullying cycle?

Experiential Exercises

  1. 1.

    Explore anti-discrimination laws in your own state; the 2010 document “Our Maturing Movement: State-by-State LGBT Aging Policy and Recommendations” is a good starting resource. What previous recommendations have been met? What recommendations still exist? It is available at: http://nwnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2010-NGLTF-Our-Maturing-Movement_State-by-State-LGBT-Aging-Policy-Recommendations3.pdf

  2. 2.

    Contact the Ombudsman’s office in your state to learn about efforts to protect LGBT older adults living in nursing homes; a good resource is National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at http://www.theconsumervoice.org

  3. 3.

    Contact LGBT advocacy groups to explore efforts to improve quality of life for older adults in your local area; suggested advocacy groups include the following: Gay and Lesbian Medical Association http://www.glma.org; Equality Federation http://equalityfederation.org; and PFLAG http://community.pflag.org

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. 1.

    Bullying and relational aggression are associated with which negative outcomes?

    1. (a)

      Social isolation

    2. (b)

      Increase in teen pregnancy

    3. (c)

      Reduced self-esteem

    4. (d)

      Answers (a) and (c) only

    5. (e)

      All of the above

  2. 2.

    Assisted living residents find which of the following most distressing?

    1. (a)

      Being the focus of gossiping and rumor-spreading

    2. (b)

      Being harassed to loan money, cigarettes, or other commodities

    3. (c)

      Exposure to loud in communal areas

    4. (d)

      Being bossed around or told what to do

    5. (e)

      All of the above.

  3. 3.

    Microagressions

    1. (a)

      Contribute to harm when none was intended

    2. (b)

      Are considered misdemeanors

    3. (c)

      Are acts of physical violence

    4. (d)

      All of the above

  4. 4.

    Some basic levels of protections for LGBT elders include

    1. (a)

      Prohibition of physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse

    2. (b)

      Promoting autonomy, respect, and dignity in nursing homes

    3. (c)

      Housing discrimination based on gender

    4. (d)

      All of the above

  5. 5.

    Promising interventions to address bullying at an organizational level include

    1. (a)

      Providing LGBT training to all employees

    2. (b)

      Using signage that reflects diversity acceptance

    3. (c)

      Creating an exclusive community house LGBT wing

    4. (d)

      All of the above

    5. (e)

      Answers (a) and (b) only

  6. 6.

    Which of the following represents a primary difference between late-life bullying and elder abuse?

    1. (a)

      Abuse causes physical harm to the victim, but bullying does not.

    2. (b)

      Abuse has a long-lasting negative impact, whereas bullying does not.

    3. (c)

      Abuse is most often perpetrated against someone who is dependent on the aggressor for care or instrumental assistance; with bullying, this is typically not the case.

    4. (d)

      Abuse most commonly occurs in nursing home settings, but bullying occurs in virtually all senior living environments.

  7. 7.

    Bystander intervention involves which of the following elements:

    1. (a)

      Teaching the targets of bullying how to defend themselves against bullies.

    2. (b)

      Teaching individuals who witness bullying how to effectively intercede to stop its occurrence.

    3. (c)

      Developing policies and procedures that guide civil behavior in senior living organizations.

    4. (d)

      All of the above.

  8. 8.

    Which of the following represents the most accurate definition of bullying?

    1. (a)

      Intentional repetitive aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power or strength.

    2. (b)

      Nonviolent behavior designed to hinder social relationships and connectedness.

    3. (c)

      Intentional behavior intended to cause physical or psychological harm toward someone dependent on the aggressor.

    4. (d)

      Ridiculing or teasing someone in public.

  9. 9.

    About how many older adults living in senior housing organizations experience peer bullying?

    1. (a)

      50 %

    2. (b)

      5 %

    3. (c)

      30 %

    4. (d)

      20 %

  10. 10.

    A type of bullying unique to LGBT older adults is

    1. (a)

      Relational aggression

    2. (b)

      Gossiping

    3. (c)

      Outing

    4. (d)

      Stealing

Answer Key

  1. 1.

    d

  2. 2.

    e

  3. 3.

    a

  4. 4.

    d

  5. 5.

    e

  6. 6.

    c

  7. 7.

    b

  8. 8.

    a

  9. 9.

    d

  10. 10.

    c

Resources

Gender Public Advocacy Organization (genderPAC): www.gpac.org

Tolerence.org: www.tolerence.org

The Consumer Voice http://theconsumervoice.org

Assisted Living Consumer Alliance http://www.assistedlivingconsumers.org

National Resource Center on LGBT Aging http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/

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Bonifas, R.P. (2016). The Prevalence of Elder Bullying and Impact on LGBT Elders. In: Harley, D., Teaster, P. (eds) Handbook of LGBT Elders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_18

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-03623-6

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