Old age from the perspective of LGBTQ+ and heterosexual young: A comparative study

Nur Elçin Boyacıoğlu, Hatice Selin Irmak and Şeyma Bozkurt Uzan

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2025, vol. 71, issue 2, 426-436

Abstract: Background: In today’s world, the challenges and achievements of LGBTQ+’s throughout their lives are increasingly gaining attention. However, the specific needs of LGBTQ+’s in the aging process and potential challenges they might face during this period are often overlooked. Aims: This study aims to demonstrate LGBTQ+’s and heterosexual young’s perspectives on old age. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional comparative study collected data from 230 LGBTQ+ and 201 heterosexual individuals. Data were collected using a digital survey comprising an 8-item Personal Information Form and a 17-item Questionnaire for Opinions Regarding Old Age. Results: Compared to others, LGBTQ+’s consider old age to be a more problematic period. In this study, it was determined that LGBTQ+’s perceive old age as a bigger problem compared to those in the heterosexual group. It was determined that the possible difficulties that LGBTQ+’s expect to face in old age are mostly related to basic needs such as the need for care and lack of social support. In the heterosexual group, concerns about age-related physical changes such as loss of youth were observed more frequently. Conclusion: It is recommended that studies to be conducted and services to be offered in this area should be of nature that would ensure safety of LGBTQ+’s, protect their basic humanitarian rights and respond to their needs.

Keywords: Sexual and gender minorities; heterosexuality; gerontology; aging; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:71:y:2025:i:2:p:426-436

DOI: 10.1177/00207640241294202

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