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Internet use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer+ older adults during COVID-19

Trevor G. Gates (College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Colorado State University – Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, USA and the School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia)
Mark Hughes (Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, Australia)
Jack Thepsourinthone (School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia)
Tinashe Dune (School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia)

Quality in Ageing and Older Adults

ISSN: 1471-7794

Article publication date: 19 May 2022

Issue publication date: 28 June 2022

137

Abstract

Purpose

This brief paper aims to examine the extent to which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) older adults in Australia used the internet for social, informational and instrumental needs, including how internet use changed during COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a survey advertised to LGBTIQ+ older adults (N = 394), recruited as a sample of convenience, on social networking sites and via LGBTIQ+ and aged care organizations.

Findings

Self-reported internet use decreased during COVID-19, with various significant between-group differences in purposes of internet use and sexuality, gender, living arrangements and time.

Originality/value

The internet can be a critical form of social contact for LGBTIQ+ older adults, and this is among the first studies in Australia about their internet use during COVID-19. Findings from the study suggest patterns of internet use may be decreasing among LGBTIQ+ older adults during the pandemic.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank LGBTIQ+ Health Australia for their collaboration in this research.

Citation

Gates, T.G., Hughes, M., Thepsourinthone, J. and Dune, T. (2022), "Internet use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer+ older adults during COVID-19", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 63-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-10-2021-0083

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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