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Publication
Fatores de stress e proteção na saúde dos seniores: Um estudo comparativo segundo a identidade sexual
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Abstract(s)
O envelhecimento demográfico é uma realidade em Portugal e há muito pouco
conhecimento relativo às diferentes necessidades da população sénior, especialmente sobre as
dissemelhanças entre identidades sexuais, e o impacto de fatores psicossociais e de saúde
específicos que se ligam à vivência de cada uma destas populações. Desta forma, contribuindo
para a lacuna na literatura nacional sobre estudos comparativos na população sénior, a presente
investigação teve como objetivo explorar as disparidades e as repercussões de fatores de stress
(Solidão e Idadismo) e de proteção (Resiliência e Suporte Social) no estado de saúde de
seniores LGB e heterossexuais portugueses com 60 ou mais anos. A amostra foi constituída
por um total de 646 seniores, compreendendo 366 pessoas com identidade sexual
heterossexual, com idades compreendidas entre os 60 e os 87 anos (M=68.09; DP=5.87), e 280
pessoas com identidade sexual LGB, com idades compreendidas entre os 60 e os 84 anos
(M=63.95; DP=3.98). A recolha de dados, realizada via online, foi efetuada através de seis
instrumentos: um questionário sociodemográfico e cinco medidas quantitativas (1) Escala de
Solidão UCLA (USL-6); (2) Escala Ambivalente de Idadismo (AAS); (3) Escala de Resiliência
Conner-Davidson (CD-RISC-10); (4) a Escala Multidimensional de Suporte Social Percebido
(MSPSS); (5) e o 12- Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). Os resultados revelaram que
à população sénior heterossexual são atribuídos níveis mais elevados de fatores de proteção
(Resiliência e Suporte social), enquanto que à população sénior LGB são atribuídos níveis mais
elevados de fatores de stress (Solidão e Idadismo), bem como um pior estado de saúde.
Ademais, a Resiliência e a Solidão revelaram-se como os principais preditores do estado de
saúde na população sénior LGB, enquanto que na população sénior heterossexual destacaramse o Idadismo e o Suporte Social.
Demographic aging is a reality in Portugal and there is very little knowledge regarding the different needs of the senior population, especially on the dissimilarities between sexual identities, and the impact of specific psychosocial and health factors that are linked to the experience of each of these populations. Thus, contributing to the gap in the national literature on comparative studies in the senior population, the present investigation explores the disparities and repercussions of stress factors (Loneliness and Ageism) and protective factors (Resilience and Social Support) on the health condition of LGB and heterosexual Portuguese seniors with 60 years or over. The sample consisted of a total of 646 seniors, comprising 366 people with a heterosexual sexual identity, aged between 60 and 87 years (M=68.09; SD=5.87), and 280 people with a LGB sexual identity, aged between 60 and 84 years (M=63.95; SD=3.98). The data collection, performed online, was carried out using six instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and five quantitative measures (1) UCLA Loneliness Scale (USL-6); (2) The Ambivalent Ageism Scale (AAS); (3) The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10); (4) The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); (5) and The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). The results revealed that the senior heterosexual population is attributed higher levels of protective factors (Resilience and Social Support), while the senior LGB population is attributed higher levels of stress factors (Loneliness and Ageism), as well as a worse health condition. Furthermore, Resilience and Loneliness proved to be the main predictors of health condition in the LGB senior population, while in the heterosexual senior population, Ageism and Social Support stood out.
Demographic aging is a reality in Portugal and there is very little knowledge regarding the different needs of the senior population, especially on the dissimilarities between sexual identities, and the impact of specific psychosocial and health factors that are linked to the experience of each of these populations. Thus, contributing to the gap in the national literature on comparative studies in the senior population, the present investigation explores the disparities and repercussions of stress factors (Loneliness and Ageism) and protective factors (Resilience and Social Support) on the health condition of LGB and heterosexual Portuguese seniors with 60 years or over. The sample consisted of a total of 646 seniors, comprising 366 people with a heterosexual sexual identity, aged between 60 and 87 years (M=68.09; SD=5.87), and 280 people with a LGB sexual identity, aged between 60 and 84 years (M=63.95; SD=3.98). The data collection, performed online, was carried out using six instruments: a sociodemographic questionnaire and five quantitative measures (1) UCLA Loneliness Scale (USL-6); (2) The Ambivalent Ageism Scale (AAS); (3) The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10); (4) The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); (5) and The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). The results revealed that the senior heterosexual population is attributed higher levels of protective factors (Resilience and Social Support), while the senior LGB population is attributed higher levels of stress factors (Loneliness and Ageism), as well as a worse health condition. Furthermore, Resilience and Loneliness proved to be the main predictors of health condition in the LGB senior population, while in the heterosexual senior population, Ageism and Social Support stood out.
Description
Dissertação de Mestrado
apresentada no Ispa – Instituto Universitário
para obtenção do grau de Mestre na especialidade
de Psicologia Clínica.
Keywords
Estado de saúde Fatores de stress Fatores de proteção Identidade sexual Seniores Health condition Stress factors Protective factors Sexual identity Seniors