Abstracts
Résumé
La plupart des gais et lesbiennes aînés ont été marqués dans leur trajectoire de vie par des expériences de discrimination et de stigmatisation reliées à leur orientation sexuelle. Ces expériences négatives peuvent avoir eu des impacts sur leur parcours de vie et sur leur santé mentale. Même si, actuellement, la majorité des aînés gais et lesbiennes ont et maintiennent une bonne santé mentale, il ressort des études que les personnes non hétérosexuelles sont plus à risque de développer certains problèmes tels que l’anxiété, la dépression, les idéations suicidaires et la consommation excessive d’alcool et d’autres substances. Cet article présente les facteurs pouvant fragiliser la santé mentale des aînés gais et lesbiennes, soit la victimisation et l’exposition à diverses formes de préjudices au cours du parcours de vie, la gestion continue du dévoilement ou de la dissimulation de l’orientation sexuelle, le degré d’homophobie intériorisée ainsi que la solitude ; et les facteurs potentiels de protection tels que les capacités de résilience, le réseau social et le soutien social. Cet article conclut sur les implications quant à la prise en compte des besoins propres aux aînés gais et lesbiennes. Des recommandations sont mises de l’avant dans une perspective de reconnaissance des enjeux touchant les aînés gais et lesbiennes, et d’amélioration des services qui leur sont offerts.
Mots-clés :
- homosexualité,
- gais,
- lesbiennes,
- aînés,
- santé mentale,
- vieillissement,
- stigmatisation,
- résilience,
- réseau social,
- soutien social,
- homophobie intériorisée
Abstract
Most gay and lesbian elders have experienced discrimination and stigmatization related to their sexual orientation in their life trajectory. These negative experiences may have had an impact on their life course and on their mental health. Even if the majority of gay and lesbian older adults actually have and maintain good mental health, studies show that non-heterosexual people are at a greater risk of developing certain difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances. This article presents the factors that may weaken the mental health of older gay and lesbian people, such as victimization and the exposure to various forms of prejudice in their life course, the continuous management of the disclosure or dissimulation of their sexual orientation, the degree of internalized homophobia, as well as loneliness; and also presents the potential protective factors, such as building resilience, social networks and social support. This article concludes by illustrating the implications concerning the specific needs of the gay and lesbian elders. Some recommendations are also formulated with regards to recognizing the issues affecting gay and lesbian older adults as well as improving the services that are offered to them.
Keywords:
- homosexuality,
- gays and lesbians,
- aging,
- mental health,
- stigmatization
Appendices
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