LGBT Elders at Higher Risk for Cognitive Decline Due to Minority Stress

Study finds long-term exposure to discrimination and stress is associated with brain aging in LGBT elders, contributing to health disparities.

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A recent article, published in the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, reviewed the risk factors for cognitive decline with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders. The researchers go on to propose a model to guide future research and clinical practice.

“Geriatric health care and mental health care cannot be comprehensively informed without greater knowledge of minority groups and subgroups, including LGBT elders,” the researchers, Anthony Correro II and Kristy A Nielson write.
SAGE Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders

Past research has repeatedly found that stress resulting from discrimination, termed “minority stress,” contributes to an increased risk for mental health issues in LGBT individuals.  However, until this point, little research has been done on the risk factors for cognitive aging in this population.

LGBT elders are prone to health disparities, facing challenges from heterosexism and ageism under the minority stress model framework. It is believed that long-term exposure to stress can damage the structures and functions of bodily systems.

Previous studies found that LGBT elders are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation vulnerability to pathogenic infection, and metabolic disorders due to exposure to identity-related stressors. Increased chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and heart attack are also found in LGBT elders. LGBT elders’ mental health is also compromised due to direct discrimination. For example, internalized homophobia has been found to increase symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In general, higher levels of stress hormones are associated with accelerated brain aging and cognitive decline. Also, chronic stress increases the risk for dementia and elevated cortisol levels, leading to Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigated the specific impact of minority stress on cognition for LGBT individuals.

“Environmental and social systems shape aging trajectories, and these systems are imbued with advantages and disadvantages based on one’s position within society,” the authors note. “Minority stress will continue to impact their (LGBT elders) mental health and healthcare utilization, which may alter their aging trajectory.”

The article proposed an introductory conceptual model of minority stress-related cognitive decline in LGBT elders. In the model, LGBT elders’ cognitive trajectory is theoretically modifiable by minority stress. The authors believed that the neurotoxic effects of stress hormones and metabolic disruptions are the mechanisms for accelerated decline.

The researchers recommend that healthcare providers consider sexual and gender identities in cognitive evaluations and provide targeted and affordable LGBT-affirmative services. Social support, LGBT community engagement, and identity disclosure are identified as protective factors that slow down the cognitive decline in LGBT elders.

“Given their (LGBT elders) particularly high risk for exposure to stress, the pathological aging risk might be exacerbated in LGBT elders,” they conclude. “Understanding of their risks for cognitive decline and dementia and potential avenues to prevent their particular risks is critically needed.

 

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Correro, A. N., & Nielson, K. A. (2020). A review of minority stress as a risk factor for cognitive decline in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health24(1), 2-19. (Link)

2 COMMENTS

  1. I think this observation could be generalized to say that anyone who has been underprivileged and exposed to a great deal of trauma is more likely to experience cognitive decline. The elderly are generally considered useless in the US, and so are more likely to experience cognitive decline. I have read about countries where the elderly are revered and live long lives without falling apart as they age.

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  2. Would you have any idea about the degree of the brain’s operation to nuanced levels of civil categories (race, sex, creed, gender and disability?) . For when one processes from the context of Robert’s Rules of Order, the dynamics by which an organization begins to realize “minority” and “majority” opinions shows healthier expressions through the gavel, IF the Chair is reading the movement appropriately. Then how and why doe the values, inculcated from the City of Brotherly Love transport to the culture of Boston? Structurally, the design of the space, the amount of energy being used to sift through cognitive decline/enrichment seemingly is tied to forces yet articulated, either through the theories or even modulated through the technologies being used to measure. What is your thinking on stressors that enhance the aging and those that negate the golden years?

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