Minority Stress and Resilience: A Preliminary Study of Elderly LGBTQ+ Well-being in Kolambugan
Keywords:
Elderly LGBTQ+, Minority Stress Theory, Social Support, Rural Philippines, Gerontology, Families of ChoiceAbstract
The narratives of elderly LGBTQ+ individuals in the Global South remain largely obscured within gerontological discourse, particularly regarding the efficacy of traditional support systems in agrarian settings. This research note investigated the baseline well-being and coping resources of fifty (N=50) elderly LGBTQ+ individuals in the municipality of Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. Grounded in Meyer’s Minority Stress Theory, the study employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational design to assess the relationship between support systems (families of origin vs. families of choice) and multidimensional well-being. Results indicated that respondents possessed high levels of well-being (M=3.34), exhibiting strong psychological hardiness and social integration despite societal marginalization. While descriptive data suggested high levels of support from both friends (M=3.34) and family (M=3.27), inferential analysis revealed a critical divergence: peer support significantly correlated with well-being (r=.598, p<.001), whereas family support showed no statistically significant relationship (r=.258, p=.071). These findings challenged the monolithic cultural narrative of utang na loob (filial piety) as a sufficient safety net for sexual minorities, suggesting that for rural LGBTQ+ elders, "families of choice" serve as the primary buffer against minority stress. The study recommends that local policy interventions prioritize the formalization of peer support networks and the integration of SOGIE-sensitive training in rural geriatric care.
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Himelga, J., Castillano, J., Kilat, I., Omandam, R., Fajardo, M., Cabasan, M. E., Sarita, M. K., Egay, F. M., & Omandam, M. B. (2026). Minority Stress and Resilience: A Preliminary Study of Elderly LGBTQ+ Well-being in Kolambugan. Ennoia Advances in Social Science, Technology and Education, 2(01), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18345339
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Copyright (c) 2026 Junel Himelga, Jay-r Castillano, Irish Kilat, Russel Omandam, Marichelle Fajardo, Ma. Elsa Cabasan, Ma. Katherine Sarita, Flora Mae Egay, Maryjane B. Omandam (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
