%0 Journal Article %J Gerontologist %D 2013 %T Risk and protective factors associated with health-related quality of life among older gay and bisexual men living with HIV disease. %A Emlet, Charles A %A Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I %A Kim, Hyun-Jun %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Aging %K Bisexuality %K Cross-Sectional Studies %K Health Status %K HIV Infections %K Homosexuality, Male %K Humans %K Male %K Mental Health %K Middle Aged %K Prevalence %K Quality of Life %K Risk Factors %K Social Support %K Socioeconomic Factors %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K United States %X

PURPOSE: To identify risk and protective factors associated with mental and physical health-related quality of life, after controlling for key background characteristics, in a population of older gay and bisexual men living with HIV disease. Previous research examining quality of life among persons living with HIV rarely includes older adults.

DESIGN AND METHODS: Survey responses from 226 gay and bisexual men aged 50 and older, and living with HIV disease, which were part of the Caring and Aging with Pride study, were analyzed using multivariate linear regression models.

RESULTS: Findings reveal that comorbidity, limitations in activities, and victimization are significant risk factors for decreased physical and mental health-related quality of life. Stigma and HIV progression did not contribute to the overall outcome variables in multivariate models. Social support and self-efficacy serve as protective factors although social support was only significant with mental health-related quality of life.

IMPLICATIONS: Comorbidity, functional limitations, and lifetime victimization are risks to quality of life among older gay and bisexual men with HIV disease. Self-efficacy and social support represent intrapersonal and interpersonal resources that can be enhanced through interventions to improve health-related quality of life.

%B Gerontologist %V 53 %P 963-72 %8 2013 Dec %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1093/geront/gns191 %0 Journal Article %J Am J Public Health %D 2010 %T Disparities in health-related quality of life: a comparison of lesbians and bisexual women. %A Fredriksen-Goldsen, Karen I %A Kim, Hyun-Jun %A Barkan, Susan E %A Balsam, Kimberly F %A Mincer, Shawn L %K Adolescent %K Adult %K Bisexuality %K Exercise %K Female %K Health Status Disparities %K Homosexuality, Female %K Humans %K Logistic Models %K Mental Health %K Middle Aged %K Obesity %K Poverty %K Quality of Life %K Risk Factors %K Stress, Psychological %K Urban Population %K Washington %K Young Adult %X

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with sexual orientation among lesbians and bisexual women and compared the predictors of HRQOL between the 2 groups.

METHODS: We used multivariate logistic regression to analyze Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System population-based data (2003 to 2007) in a sample of 1496 lesbians and bisexual women and examined determinants of HRQOL among lesbians and bisexual women.

RESULTS: For lesbians and bisexual women, frequent mental distress and poor general health were associated with poverty and lack of exercise; poor general health was associated with obesity and mental distress. Bisexual women showed a higher likelihood of frequent mental distress and poor general health than did lesbians. The odds of mental distress were higher for bisexual women living in urban areas as compared with nonurban areas. Lesbians had an elevated risk of poor general health and mental distress during midlife.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the standard practice of collapsing sexual minority women into a single group, lesbian and bisexual women in this study emerge as distinct groups that merit specific attention. Bisexual women are at elevated risk for poor HRQOL.

%B Am J Public Health %V 100 %P 2255-61 %8 2010 Nov %G eng %N 11 %R 10.2105/AJPH.2009.177329