Investigation of Quality of Life, Harmony, Healthy Behaviors for Aging, Perceived Stress, Disparities in Healthcare, Microaggressions, and Discrimination as Predictors of Satisfaction With Life for Older Black Lesbians

The sample (N=118) was mostly Lesbian (85.6%, n=101) with a mean age of 60.81 years (min=50, max=86, SD=7). Most (55.1%, n=65) lived with a partner, including 25.4% (n=30) being married. The education mean (=category 4.37, min=1, max=6, SD=1.123) was between Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, 48.3% were employed full-time (n=57), 26.3% (n=31) retired, and the annual household income was $50,000 – $99,999 (mean=5.13; SD=1.392). They reported good health (mean=4.04; min=1, max=6, SD=0.789) with an overweight Body Mass Index (BMI mean=32.77; min=17.97, max=57.32, SD=8.03). Quality ratings showed: healthcare received was closest to very good (mean= 4.68; min=1, max=6, SD=1.205); care received from primary care provider was between very good and excellent (mean=4.54; min=1, max=6, SD=1.174); providers’ sensitivity/cultural competence for sexual orientation was closest to very good (mean=4.70; min=1, max=6, SD=1.182); providers’ sensitivity/cultural competence for race was between good to very good (mean=4.57; min=1, max=6, SD=1.178); and providers’ openness to hearing about/accepting sexual orientation was closest to very open (mean=3.77; min=1, max=5, SD=0.937). The majority (71.2% (n=84) experienced discrimination in the healthcare system—for being Black (64.4%, n=76), a woman (48.4%, n=57), overweight/obese (31.4%, n=54), or appearance (29.7%, n=35).Findings for performing 9 behaviors for healthy aging showed: 1-stages of change mean=4.283 (min=1.44, max=5, SD=0.663) was closest to action stage; 2-self-efficacy mean=5.171 (min=3, max=6, SD=0.703) was 80% confident; 3-knowledge mean = 5.811 (min=3.22, max=7, SD=0.916) was closest to a high level of knowledge; and, 4-motivation mean=5.57 (min=3.44, max=7, SD=0.935) was between moderate and high. They had moderately high: satisfaction with life (SWLS-3 mean=5.223, min=1.33, max=7, SD=1.272); overall life satisfaction (LSS-1, mean=7.50, min=2, max=10, SD=1.834); and harmony in life (mean=5.407; min=2, max=7, SD=1.184). Backwards stepwise regression, controlling for social desirability, indicated higher Satisfaction with Life (SWLS-3) was significantly predicted by: Higher harmony in life (B=0.714, p=0.000); Higher annual household income (B=0.155, p=0.004); Higher provider sensitivity/cultural competence to their patient being Black (B=0.208, p=0.002)—with 62.4% of variance explained (R2=0.615, adjusted R2=0.624; F=25.483, p=.000) by the model. Qualitative data amplified findings.