Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
J Aging Health. 2013 Oct;25(7):1159-81. doi: 10.1177/0898264313495562. Epub 2013 Jul 16.
This study investigates factors related to the positive mental health of older Australian gay men, who are challenged by both age- and sexuality-related stigma.
A national online survey was conducted among 422 gay-identified men aged 40 years and older. Positive mental health was measured using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS).
Regression analyses revealed men were psychologically healthier if they were employed full-time, had a higher income, were in a relationship, received greater social support, had many close friends, felt connected to the gay community, believed the public felt positively toward their group, and had not experienced discrimination in the past year. A multivariate linear regression found social support to be the most important of all these factors, with support from friends particularly critical.
These findings provide new guidance to health agencies that seek to improve the mental health and well-being of older gay men.
本研究调查了与老年澳大利亚男同性恋者积极心理健康相关的因素，他们面临着与年龄和性取向相关的污名化的挑战。
在全国范围内对 422 名年龄在 40 岁及以上的同性恋男性进行了在线调查。采用短 Warwick-Edinburgh 心理健康量表（SWEMWBS）来衡量积极的心理健康。
回归分析显示，如果男性全职就业、收入较高、处于恋爱关系中、获得更多的社会支持、有很多亲密的朋友、与同性恋社区有联系、认为公众对他们的群体持积极态度、并且在过去一年中没有经历过歧视，那么他们的心理健康状况会更好。多元线性回归发现，社会支持是所有这些因素中最重要的，来自朋友的支持尤为关键。
这些发现为寻求改善老年男同性恋者心理健康和幸福感的卫生机构提供了新的指导。
