The Cost of Loneliness Among Gay Elders

"According to the 2018 AARP Loneliness and Social Connections Survey study, LGBTQ+ males are at an increased risk for chronic loneliness and commonly usetechnology to socialize with friends. Those participants said they spent too much time alone and engaged in more risky or unhealthy behaviors when lonely. Heterosexuals more often socialize with friends in person. Why is this a difference?"

"Chronically lonely adults engaged in isolated activities such as watching television or using the internet, whereas those who were not chronically lonely were more likely to seek out social activities. What is loneliness? Theprofound mental and physical consequences of loneliness are increased rates of depression and premature death. Aloneness is a neutral state of being physically alone, which can be positive or negative, depending on the situation and your mindset (e.g., someone chooses to spend a weekend alone to enjoy quiet time)."

"Loneliness is a negative emotional state characterized by a sense of isolation, lack of connection, and longing for companionship, which can occur even when surrounded by people (e.g., feeling isolated and sad at a crowded party where you do not know anyone). Three types of loneliness are described. Emotional loneliness: "the absence of meaningful relationships" Social loneliness: a "perceived deficit in the quality of social connections" Existential loneliness: a "feeling of fundamental separateness from others and the w""

There is an epidemic of loneliness across survey samples, affecting many Americans. Gay and LGBTQ+ men report higher risk for chronic loneliness and often use technology and social media to connect. Chronically lonely adults tend to engage in isolated activities like watching television or using the internet and report more risky or unhealthy behaviors. Heterosexuals more often socialize with friends in person. Loneliness carries profound mental and physical consequences, including higher rates of depression and premature death. Aloneness can be neutral or chosen, while loneliness involves emotional, social, and existential separations. Multiple Facebook groups serve older gay men.

Read at Psychology Today