Internet use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer+ older adults during COVID-19
Quality in Ageing and Older Adults
ISSN: 1471-7794
Article publication date: 19 May 2022
Issue publication date: 28 June 2022
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
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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