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- A life course approach on older portuguese gay and bisexual people: The multifactorial development of sexual identityPublication . Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Pereira, Maria Gouveia; Carvalho, R. G.; Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Leal, I.Research shows that successful development of sexual identity is essential for healthy and well-adjusted ageing. Gay and bisexual (GB) older people have experienced cumulative events throughout their lives that may have affected the development of their identity. In addition, the few previous studies show an alarming lack of community connectedness among older GB people in Portugal. This study assessed the factors that have contributed to the development of sexual identity in Portuguese GB older adults throughout their lives, using an inductive qualitative cross-sectional approach based on Life Course Theory. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were carried out with older (60+ years) GB people living in the community and using the lifeline technique. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis with a codebook approach. Results suggest a multifactorial contribution of factors throughout the life cycle that have affected the development of GB older people’s sexual identity. These include historical–cultural factors (e.g., sexual repression and traditionalism of the dictatorship), psychosocial factors (e.g., cumulative sexual stigma), relational factors (e.g., relational clandestinity) and intrapersonal factors (e.g., concealment of sexual orientation). The existence of the Internalized Sexual Minority Disconnectedness phenomenon and its contribution to the formation of the sexual identity of older GB adults were also verified. These results reveal important clues about the development of older GB people in Portugal and the factors that may be affecting the current invisibility of these people in the social and health-related context. Relevant implications for the clinical context are also discussed.
- Bullying in old age: A qualitative study on older adults’ perceptions about being bulliedPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Gonçalves, José Alberto Ribeiro; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraSignificant demographic changes and a growing aging population increasingly emphasize the importance of assessing phenomena of violence against older adults, who constitute a vulnerable population. Therefore, bullying in old age is a poorly studied phenomena, but of growing importance. This study aims to analyze the perspectives of bullying in old age, using qualitative research at a cross-national level. We interviewed 173 older participants aged 65–91 years. Participants were Portuguese and English and lived in the community. Participants were subjected to semi-structured interviews. All the interviews went through a process of content analysis. Sample recruitment occurred through initial telephone contact, followed by a request to participate. Outcomes of content analysis produced seven themes, all of them associated with bullying experiences such as compromised learning capacity, loss of sense of agency and decision-making, asexuality, less attractive appearance, less social skills, gender discrimination, and less financial resources. Portuguese older adults felt mostly bullied for their loss of sense of agency and decision-making, less attractive appearance, less social skills, and less financial resources, while English participants mostly felt bullied for their compromised learning capacity, gender discrimination, and asexuality. The themes identified as being the most prominent in bullying are valuable guidelines for social policies and interventions toward bullying among older adults. Considering the scarcity of studies on bullying in older adults, this study is relevant for understanding the experience of older adults in relation to being bullied and for implementing psychosocial intervention programs including bullying situations that affect community-dwelling older adults.
- What distresses sexual well-being among older adults in different cultures? A qualitative study with Slovenian and Portuguese older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Rolo, J.; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Benko, Ester; Low, Gail; Leal, IsabelObjective To analyze the perspectives of sexual unwellness (SU) of Portuguese and Slovenian older adults was the objective of this study. A qualitative research was carried out, in which these perceptions were analyzed at a cultural level. Methods The sample of this study consisted of 136 older participants, between 65 and 96 years of age. Participants were of two different nationalities and lived in the community. Participants were interviewed, and all interviews were carried out through the process of literal transcription and subsequent content analysis. Results Eight key mutually exclusive themes emerged from the interviews: unavailability of partner; traditional values; body restrictions; low self-esteem and well-being; poor social support; dissatisfaction with physical appearance; pain during sex; and difficulties meeting new people. Unavailability of partner was the most important theme (17.9%) for the studied sample and specifically among Portuguese participants. Conversely, difficulties meeting new people were the least reported theme (6.8%) for the entire sample. For Slovenians traditional values were most relevant with respect to feeling sexually unwell. Conclusions Older adults from two different countries reported diverse sexual experiences. Eight mutual-exclusive themes were extensively illustrated. Policy Implications These findings are evidence for cultural-adapted interventions and policy making in the context of older adults’ sexual well-being, particularly in terms of its relation with aging well.
- Sexual well-being in older adults: A qualitative study with older adults from Portugal and SloveniaPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Costa, Andrea; Low, Gail; Benko, Ester; Leal, I.Introduction Beyond living longer, it is increasingly important to live with more and better health during aging; sexual well-being was found to contribute to health and well-being in old age and is highly under-researched in the older population. This study aims to analyze sexual well-being in a cross-cultural way through older Portuguese and Slovenian older samples. Methods We interviewed 136 older participants with an average age of 71.6 years old. Participants were Portuguese and Slovenian and lived in the community. Participants were subjected to semi-structured interviews and these were subjected to a content analysis process. Results The content analysis indicated nine themes related to sexual well-being: self-reported good health; demonstrations of love; non-sexual joint activities; overall well-being and quality of life; partner support; positive self-image; being independent and active; sexual compatibility; and masturbation. Conclusions Portuguese older adults experience their sexual well-being associated mainly with self-reported good health and demonstrations of love, while Slovenians older adults associate their sexual well-being mainly with non-sexual joint activities and overall well-being and quality of life. Policy Implications The themes found in this study are fundamental evidence for cultural interventions and guidelines outlining in the context of sexual health in aging, mainly due to the scarcity of knowledge of sexual well-being among older adults.
- What sexual well-being really means for older adults: A systematic review of the literaturePublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Low, Gail; Leal, I.Sexual well-being (SWB) is a significant and understudied element of older adults’ health and well-being, and quality of life. The goal of this systematic review is to identify the researched topics in this field and assess the quality of the research while minimizing bias through a peer-to-peer review process. We searched several databases, including the Cochrane Database, PsyRedalyc, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus and Google Scholar, resulting in 181,278 references. Ultimately, 62 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These studies involved over 46,500 individuals with ages ranging from 55 to 99, from twenty-one different countries. Our study identified a variety of variables under the concept umbrella of SWB, including sexual satisfaction, sexual health, sexual interest, sexual experiences and behaviors, sexual intimacy, expressions of love and attitudes toward sexuality in different countries. The studies reveal diverse perspectives on the determinants, expressions, and challenges associated with SWB in old age. Common themes such as the importance of sexual satisfaction, intimate relationships, and the rejection of a universal decline in sexual interest, challenge ageist stereotypes. The emergent concepts, including the linking of physical to emotional health, the impact of technology, the inclusion of LGBTQIA+, older couples and people now in their 80s and 90s underscore the multifaceted nature of SWB in later life. As societies continue to age, embracing a more inclusive and nuanced approach to research and interventions will be pivotal in enhancing the overall well-being for older individuals.
- 14º Congresso Nacional de Psicologia da Saúde : psicologia e saúde em tempos de crisePublication . Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Garcês, Soraia; Leal, IsabelA Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia da Saúde (SPPS), em colaboração com a Faculdade de Artes e Humanidades da Universidade da Madeira, realiza o 14º Congresso Nacional de Psicologia da Saúde, de 8 a 10 de Setembro de 2022, nas instalações da Universidade da Madeira, na cidade do Funchal, na Ilha da Madeira, Portugal. Subordinado ao tema Psicologia e Saúde em Tempos de Crise, este congresso, teve este ano a necessidade de abandonar a sua data habitual do início do ano civil e realizar-se antes do início do ano letivo, exatamente em função da situação pandémica que nos tolheu movimentos e deslocações durante estes últimos dois anos. É pois com enorme prazer que este ano nos encontramos na bela ilha da Madeira para repetir o formato dos nossos congressos: três dias em que decorrem conferências convidadas e apresentações simultâneas em simpósio, orais ou escritas. Este ano ao formato presencial, acrescentou-se a possibilidade de acesso on-line, numa estreia que é fruto dos tempos. Os congressos nacionais de Psicologia da Saúde organizam-se a cada dois anos e têm como objetivo último a apresentação do “estado da arte” da investigação, das práticas e também das perspetivas teóricas desta área de conhecimento. Neste sentido privilegia-se a apresentação de comunicações e a discussão, o contacto e a troca de opiniões e de experiências entre os participantes. Como habitualmente publica-se o livro de atas do congresso que reúne um número interessante de comunicações a serem apresentadas nos dias subsequentes e que fica disponível no site da SPPS no primeiro dia do congresso. Ficarão igualmente disponíveis, mas na edição da Revista oficial da SPPS, Psicologia, Saúde & Doenças, os textos apresentados a congresso e selecionados pelo júri dos prémios “jovem investigador de mérito” e “investigador de mérito”. Numa altura histórica para a Humanidade com eventos que a “obrigam” a renascer, a renovar e a adaptar, este congresso pretende ser um momento de partilha de como a Psicologia da Saúde é fundamental em tempos de crise. Esperamos por isso que este congresso seja enriquecedor e possa trazer novos contributos para o campo da Psicologia da Saúde.
- Double stigma in portuguese lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults: A study of health statusPublication . Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Leal, I.The double stigma—sexual stigma and ageism—can affect the health status of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adults, but little is known about this topic in Portugal and internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the health status and the prevalence of chronic diseases of Portuguese LGB older adults, as well as to assess the relationship between double stigma and health status. A sample of 280 Portuguese LGB older adults completed a chronic disease questionnaire, the Homosexuality-Related Stigma Scale, the Ambivalent Ageism Scale, and the SF-12 Short Form Health Survey. A structural equation model was performed using the double stigma variables as independent variables and health status as outcome. The mental health status of Portuguese LGB older adults was lower when compared to people from studies from more than 10 countries. Higher sexual self-stigma, sexual enacted stigma related to health care, and benevolent ageism significantly explained the worse general health status. The double stigma significantly affects the health status of these older adults in a profile of internalization of sexual stigma and benevolent age discrimination, and not necessarily by a hostile/aggressive profile. More research is needed on the double stigma.
- Sexual stigma and mental health of LGB older adults: A systematic scoping reviewPublication . Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Jesus, Joana Correia; Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraIntroduction Studies that examine the mental health of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) older adults have increased significantly over the last two decades, evidencing sexual stigma as one of the main factors associated with poorer mental health in this population. However, scientific evidence linking mental health and sexual stigma in older adults has not been systematically reviewed. Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review investigating the relationships between sexual stigma and mental health in LGB older adults aged 60 and over. EBSCO Host, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo were used to search for peer reviewed studies following PRISMA guidelines and 17 studies were included. The research covered studies between 2000 and 2020 and data collection was carried out between 2020 and 2021. Results Sexual stigma showed a strong relationship with mental health in LGB older adults, being mainly associated with worse mental health outcomes, such as anxious and depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and substance abuse. Hypervigilance, invisibility, feeling socially rejected, concealment of sexual orientation, and internal conflicts were suggested among the main mediator/moderator factors between sexual stigma(s) and the older LGB mental health indicators. The findings suggest that sexual stigma affects older LGB people throughout their life course cumulatively, by decreasing their quality of life and access to health care. Yet, LGB older adults have developed resilience and adaptive strategies to manage sexual stigma. Conclusions and Policy Implications Sexual stigma has a significant relationship with worse levels of mental health in LGB older adults, affecting their well-being. It is important that future studies address oldest old LGB individuals (e.g., aged 80 or over), particularly evaluating how they manage sexual stigma. Further, there is an urgent need for research that evaluates the positive determinants of mental health in LGB older adults, such as well-being and successful aging, as well the role of the internet and social media in stigmatizing older LGB people.
- PreâmbuloPublication . Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Garcês, Soraia; Leal, Isabel
- Não monogamia consensual: atitudes e experiências de pessoas heterossexuais, homossexuais e plurissexuaisPublication . Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Gonçalves, José Alberto RibeiroA maioria das culturas ocidentais assume o padrão relacional monogâmico como o ideal nas relações de compromisso, ainda que este padrão seja hoje menos frequente e particularmente entre minorias sexuais. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar as crenças e a adesão à não monogamia consensual. Método: Foi recolhida uma amostra de 1,725 adultos (idade média = 35), entre os quais 1,159 exclusivamente heterossexuais, 164 exclusivamente homossexuais, e 402 plurissexuais, que participaram em um estudo conduzido online. Resultados: Os participantes heterossexuais revelaram atitudes e desejo de envolvimento em relações sexuais mais restritivas e atitudes menos abertas a relações não monogâmicas do que os participantes homossexuais e plurissexuais. Contudo, os participantes plurissexuais revelaram maior abertura a relações não monogâmicas do que os participantes homossexuais. Quanto ao género, as mulheres de forma geral revelaram atitudes e desejo de envolvimento em relações sexuais mais restritivas e atitudes menos abertas a relações não monogâmicas do que os homens. Discussão: Neste estudo, as pessoas com identidades sexuais menos normativas (bissexuais, pansexuais, queer) revelaram maior desejo e experiência de relações de compromisso não monogâmico e atitudes sexuais menos restritivas, sugerindo uma dupla disrupção dos padrões heteronormativos e mononormativos que poderá ter impacto na saúde, e particularmente na saúde sexual deste grupo de pessoas.