title: Count me in: response to sexual orientation measures among older adults.
abstract: Health disparities exist among sexual minority older adults. Yet, health and aging surveys rarely include sexual orientation measures and when they do, they often exclude older adults from being asked about sexual orientation. This is the first population-based study to assess item nonresponse to sexual orientation measures by age and change over time. We compare response rates and examine time trends in response patterns using adjusted logistic regressions. Among adults aged 65 and older, the nonresponse rate on sexual orientation is lower than income. While older adults show higher nonresponse rates on sexual orientation than younger adults, the nonresponse rates have significantly decreased over time. By 2010, only 1.23% of older adults responded don't know/not sure, with 1.55% refusing to answer sexual orientation questions. Decisions to not ask sexual orientation among older adults must be reconsidered, given documented health disparities and rapidly changing social trends in the understanding of diverse sexualities.
authors: School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA fredrikk@u.washington.edu.
authors: Karen I
authors: KI
authors: Fredriksen-Goldsen
authors: School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: Hyun-Jun
authors: HJ
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D012933:Social Identification; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: LGB; LGBT; aging; measurement; older adults; sexual minority health; sexual orientation
references: Gerontologist. 2014 Jun;54(3):488-500
references: 23535500
references: J Consult Clin Psychol. 2003 Feb;71(1):53-61
references: 12602425
references: J Homosex. 2006;51(1):13-31
references: 16893824
references: Am J Public Health. 2007 Jun;97(6):1134-40
references: 17463369
references: J Lesbian Stud. 2005;9(3):19-30
references: 17548282
references: Am J Public Health. 2007 Nov;97(11):2048-55
references: 17463371
references: Am J Public Health. 2010 Mar;100(3):460-7
references: 19696397
references: Am J Public Health. 2010 Oct;100(10):1953-60
references: 20516373
references: Am J Public Health. 2010 Dec;100(12):2392-6
references: 20966370
references: Policy Brief UCLA Cent Health Policy Res. 2011 Mar;(PB2011-2):1-8
references: 21548402
references: Am J Public Health. 2012 Jan;102(1):e16-21
references: 22095356
references: Gerontologist. 2013 Aug;53(4):664-75
references: 23034470
references: Am J Public Health. 2013 Oct;103(10):1802-9
references: 23763391