Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.

Within the literature, resilience is described as either a trait, an outcome or a process and no universal definition exists. A growing body of research shows that older LGBT+ adults show signs of resilience despite facing multiple inequalities that negatively impact their health and social wellbein...

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Main Authors: Anže Jurček, Brian Keogh, Greg Sheaf, Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Agnes Higgins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0277384&type=printable
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author Anže Jurček
Brian Keogh
Greg Sheaf
Trish Hafford-Letchfield
Agnes Higgins
author_facet Anže Jurček
Brian Keogh
Greg Sheaf
Trish Hafford-Letchfield
Agnes Higgins
author_sort Anže Jurček
collection DOAJ
description Within the literature, resilience is described as either a trait, an outcome or a process and no universal definition exists. A growing body of research shows that older LGBT+ adults show signs of resilience despite facing multiple inequalities that negatively impact their health and social wellbeing. The aim of this review was to examine how resilience is defined in LGBT+ ageing research and how it is studied. A mixed-study systematic search of peer-reviewed research papers published before June 2022 was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Social Science Database and Web of Science. This resulted in the screening of 7101 papers 27 of which matched the inclusion criteria. A quality appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings show that papers often lack a clear definition of resilience and application of resilience theory within the studies, although many of the papers conceptualised resilience as either a trait, process or an outcome. However, resilience was rarely the primary focus of the studies and was researched using a variety of measurement instruments and conceptual frameworks. Given the socioeconomic disparities, diverse social relations, histories of discrimination and stigma, and acts of resistance that have shaped the lives of older LGBT+ populations, resilience is a topic of growing interest for researchers and practitioners. Clear definitions of resilience and application of resilience theory could help improve methods used to study the concept and lead to more robust findings and the development of effective interventions. Greater clarity on the concept of resilience could also broaden the focus of research that informs policies and practice, and support practitioner training in resilience and the particular experiences of older LGBT+ adults.
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spelling doaj-art-5ab105a865cc44f19b294e92916d9b2b2025-08-20T02:20:41ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-011711e027738410.1371/journal.pone.0277384Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.Anže JurčekBrian KeoghGreg SheafTrish Hafford-LetchfieldAgnes HigginsWithin the literature, resilience is described as either a trait, an outcome or a process and no universal definition exists. A growing body of research shows that older LGBT+ adults show signs of resilience despite facing multiple inequalities that negatively impact their health and social wellbeing. The aim of this review was to examine how resilience is defined in LGBT+ ageing research and how it is studied. A mixed-study systematic search of peer-reviewed research papers published before June 2022 was conducted using the electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Social Science Database and Web of Science. This resulted in the screening of 7101 papers 27 of which matched the inclusion criteria. A quality appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings show that papers often lack a clear definition of resilience and application of resilience theory within the studies, although many of the papers conceptualised resilience as either a trait, process or an outcome. However, resilience was rarely the primary focus of the studies and was researched using a variety of measurement instruments and conceptual frameworks. Given the socioeconomic disparities, diverse social relations, histories of discrimination and stigma, and acts of resistance that have shaped the lives of older LGBT+ populations, resilience is a topic of growing interest for researchers and practitioners. Clear definitions of resilience and application of resilience theory could help improve methods used to study the concept and lead to more robust findings and the development of effective interventions. Greater clarity on the concept of resilience could also broaden the focus of research that informs policies and practice, and support practitioner training in resilience and the particular experiences of older LGBT+ adults.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0277384&type=printable
spellingShingle Anže Jurček
Brian Keogh
Greg Sheaf
Trish Hafford-Letchfield
Agnes Higgins
Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
PLoS ONE
title Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
title_full Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
title_fullStr Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
title_full_unstemmed Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
title_short Defining and researching the concept of resilience in LGBT+ later life: Findings from a mixed study systematic review.
title_sort defining and researching the concept of resilience in lgbt later life findings from a mixed study systematic review
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0277384&type=printable
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