Fostering Social Connectivity and Resilience in Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults

Saturday, November 5, 2022

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Location: 234 CC

CE: 1.5

Chair(s)

Hyun-Jun Kim, PhD, FGSA

Research Assistant Professor
School of Social Work
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

Hyun-Jun Kim, PhD, FGSA

Research Assistant Professor
School of Social Work
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
KF

Karen Fredriksen Goldsen, PhD, FGSA

Professor
School of Social Work
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
CE

Charles Emlet, PhD, FGSA

Professor Emeritus
School of Social Work and Criminal Justice
University of Washington
Tacoma, Washington, United States

While social connectedness and engagement are key aspects of well-being over the life course, sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults are found to experience elevated risks of social isolation and limited social connectivity, which have been linked to loneliness. Social isolation and loneliness have been significant health concerns, increasing risk of premature death, cognitive decline, and poor health and well-being, yet SGM older adults are resilient populations. To address the strengths and challenges found in evidence-based intervention development, it is critical to understand how they have managed to build and maintain their social resources and reduce social isolation and loneliness. To this end, this symposium will analyze and incorporate the results using data from both Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS), the first longitudinal study of SGM older adults in the United States and Innovations in Empowerment and Action (IDEA) Café, the first clinical trial pilot study addressing social isolation among SGM older adults living with dementia. Dr. Kim and colleagues with present a factor analysis suggesting a multi-dimensional construct of social resources unique to SGM older adults. Dr. Fredriksen Goldsen and colleagues will identify sexual and gender diverse older adults at heightened risk of loneliness and examine risk and protective factors. Dr. Emlet and colleagues will present findings from a pilot study, IDEA Café, designed to enhance social connectedness, physical functioning, and quality of life among socially isolated SGM older adults with cognitive impairment.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will understand three distinct aspects of social connectedness among sexual and gender minority older adults.
After attending this session, participants will be able to identify three most important modifiable factors that are associated with lower loneliness among sexual and gender diverse older adults.
After attending this session, participants will be able to evaluate intervention implementation strategies for socially isolated communities, including SGM older adults with cognitive impairment.

Presentations:

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Understanding the Dimensions of Social Resources Among Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Hyun-Jun Kim, PhD, FGSA – University of Washington
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Linking Lives: Disrupting the Cycle of Social Isolation
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Karen I. Fredriksen Goldsen, PhD, FGSA – University of Washington
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Reaching the Socially Isolated Older Adults in Dementia Research
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Charles A. Emlet, PhD, FGSA – University of Washington