Abstract

GONCALVES, José Alberto Ribeiro; COSTA, Pedro Alexandre  and  LEAL, Isabel. Silver rainbow: estigma in old gay men, a perspective of minority stress. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2018, vol.19, n.1, pp.80-86. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/18psd190112.

It is expected that by 2050 the population over the age of 60, currently represented by 841 million, will reach the number two hundred million. Current research demonstrates a significant increase of the LGBT population in this age group although literature is currently outdated and insufficient, and does not seem to address the needs of these individuals. It is expected that in Portugal, by the year 2080, the elderly population will go from 2,1 to 2,8 million, along with a significant decrease of the young population. This population, as a sexual and elderly minority, is particularly subjected to a double stigma. Stigma (internalized, institutional, or prejudice) has relevant repercussions on general health. Specifically, relational health can be drastically affected, namely relational and sexual satisfaction. In addition to the negative effect of age on sexual satisfaction, stigma increases the likelihood of occurrence of sexual disturbances as well as marital, family and social problems. Moreover, it is known that the elderly LGBT population has a higher prevalence of mental disorders than the heterosexual population. Therefore, it is our aim to review the literature on the impact of double stigma on dyadic and sexual relationships among elderly gay men.

Keywords : stigma; LGBT; elder; stress; health.

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