Social Networks in Later Life: Similarities and Differences between Sexual-Minority and Heterosexual Older Adults

Abstract

Community-based research suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adults are more socially isolated than their heterosexual counterparts. However, little is known about how social networks in late adulthood differ between LGB and heterosexual people at the population level. Using data from the 2015–2016 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project ( n = 3,929), the authors compare the size, frequency of contact, composition, diversity, and density of core discussion networks as well as family and friend support across sexual-orientation groups. The authors find that LGB people share a few network characteristics with their heterosexual counterparts, including network size, frequency of contact with network members, and proportion of nonspousal kin members in the network. However, their networks are less likely to include intimate partners, are more likely to include friends, and have lower diversity and density. LGB people also report lower family support but higher friend support than heterosexual people.