PURPOSE:
This
study examines global social networks-including friendship, support, and
acquaintance networks-of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults.
DESIGN AND METHODS:
Utilizing
data from a large community-based study, we employ multiple regression analyses
to examine correlates of social network size and diversity.
RESULTS:
Controlling
for background characteristics, network size was positively associated with
being female, transgender identity, employment, higher income, having a partner
or a child, identity disclosure to a neighbor, engagement in religious
activities, and service use. Controlling in addition for network size, network
diversity was positively associated with younger age, being female, transgender
identity, identity disclosure to a friend, religious activity, and service use.
IMPLICATIONS:
According
to social capital theory, social networks provide a vehicle for social
resources that can be beneficial for successful aging and well-being. This
study is a first step at understanding the correlates of social network size
and diversity among LGBT older adults.
Below: Histograms of network size (up to 95th percentile) and network diversity for lesbian (n = 529), gay male (n = 1,128), bisexual (n = 94), and transgender (n = 136) individuals. Individual who reported zero network size (n = 18) are excluded.
2University of Washington, School of Social
Work, Seattle, WA, USA
3University of Washington, Tacoma, School
of Social Work, Tacoma, WA, USA
Corresponding Author: Elena A. Erosheva, Department of Statistics
and School of Social Work, University of Washington, Box 354320, Padelford
Hall, C 14, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Email: ude.notgnihsaw.tats@anele
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