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Cited by 582LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyHealth disparities and outcomesHIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Physical and Mental Health of Transgender Older Adults: An At-Risk and Underserved Population

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Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I., Cook-Daniels, Loree, Kim, Hyun-Jun, Erosheva, Elena A., Emlet, Charles A., Hoy-Ellis, Charles P., Goldsen, Jayn, Muraco, Anna·2014·The Gerontologist
DOI 10.1093/geront/gnt021PMC PMC4013724
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Abstract

PURPOSE: This study is one of the first to examine the physical and mental health of transgender older adults and to identify modifiable factors that account for health risks in this underserved population. DESIGN AND METHODS: Utilizing data from a cross-sectional survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults aged 50 and older (N = 2,560), we assessed direct and indirect effects of gender identity on 4 health outcomes (physical health, disability, depressive symptomatology, and perceived stress) based on a resilience conceptual framework. RESULTS: Transgender older adults were at significantly higher risk of poor physical health, disability, depressive symptomatology, and perceived stress compared with nontransgender participants. We found significant indirect effects of gender identity on the health outcomes via fear of accessing health services, lack of physical activity, internalized stigma, victimization, and lack of social support; other mediators included obesity for physical health and disability, identity concealment for perceived stress, and community belonging for depressive symptomatology and perceived stress. Further analyses revealed that risk factors (victimization and stigma) explained the highest proportion of the total effect of gender identity on health outcomes. IMPLICATIONS: The study identifies important modifiable factors (stigma, victimization, health-related behaviors, and social support) associated with health among transgender older adults. Reducing stigma and victimization and including gender identity in nondiscrimination and hate crime statutes are important steps to reduce health risks. Attention to bolstering individual and community-level social support must be considered when developing tailored interventions to address transgender older adults' distinct health and aging needs.

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  • Older LGBTQ adults are more likely than non-LGBTQ adults to have poor health status, including depression.

    “There are also inequalities in the health status of older LGBTQ adults compared to non-LGBTQ adults since there is a greater likelihood that this group has poor health status, with problems such as depression (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2013; Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2014).”

    From ‘I don’t want to go back into the closet just because I need care’: recognition of older LGBTQ adults in relation to future care needs (2020) · cites this paper as Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2014

    The Discussion reports poorer physical health and more depressive symptoms among transgender older adults than among nontransgender LGB older adults. It does not establish that older LGBTQ adults as a whole have poorer health than non-LGBTQ adults; the study’s comparison is within the LGBTQ population. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Cook-Daniels, L., Kim, H.-J., Erosheva, E. A., Emlet, C. A., Hoy-Ellis, C. P., Goldsen, J., & Muraco, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • University of Washington Tacoma (US)
  • Loyola Marymount University (US)
ORCID
Venue
The Gerontologist
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2013-03-27
Volume
54
Issue
3
Pages
488-500
ISSN
  • 0016-9013 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5341
DOI
10.1093/geront/gnt021
PMC
PMC4013724
OpenAlex
W2148011174
Cited by
582
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 48 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 52 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 1
FWCI
36.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Gerontologist (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Washington Tacoma Digital Commons (University of Washington Tacoma) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG026526)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Keywords
transgender older adults, physical health, mental health, gender identity, disability, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, self-stigma, victimization, social support, identity concealment, community belonging, resilience, modifiable risk factors, health disparities
MeSH terms
Data Collection, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Vulnerable Populations, Transgender Persons

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