LGB widowhood: the association between partner loss and psychological well-being

ABSTRACT

Few studies of widowhood’s effects on psychological well-being focus on sexual minorities. Of those that do, none employ large, nationally representative samples, and none examine whether the effects depend on current partner status. Using the 2010 Ageing with Pride: National Health, Ageing, and Sexuality/Gender Study (n = 2,325), we examine the association between partner loss and psychological well-being, measured as depressive symptoms, loneliness, self-rated mental health, and life satisfaction. We find that partner loss is associated with psychological well-being, but only among currently unpartnered respondents: Compared with their peers who have never experienced partner death, those who have report more depressive symptoms – but also higher life satisfaction. These findings hold for women and men, as do the findings revealing positive associations between having a current partner and experiencing better psychological well-being. Applied to the clinical setting, our study highlights the importance of assessing not only current partner status but also prior experiences of loss, as both have implications for the psychological well-being of LGB women and men.

KEYWORDS:

• Bereavement
• partner status
• intimate relationships
• mental health
• ageing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica Noblitt

Jessica Noblitt is a doctoral candidate in Sociology at Florida State University. Her research focuses on sexual minority status, age, and gender as social factors that influence physical and mental health. Her recent projects include analyses of sexual minority status’ effects on health behaviours over the life course and the effect of same-sex partner loss on psychological well-being. Email: [email protected]

Address:

Jessica Noblitt

Florida State University

Department of Sociology

526 Bellamy Building

113 Collegiate Loop,

Tallahassee, Florida 32306

Anne E. Barrett

Anne Barrett is Professor of Sociology at Florida State University. Her research examines two themes – social relationships’ effects on health in middle and later life and the social-structural patterning and health consequences of subjective ageing. Her recent publications include examinations of ageist responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and ageing body reminders’ effects on age identity in later life. Email: [email protected]

Address:

Dr. Anne Barrett

Florida State University

Pepper Institute on Aging & Public Policy

636 West Call Street,

Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1121