George, Nigel;
(2000)
A qualitative study exploring how gay men manage growing older.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This study explored how gay men have psychologically managed the process of growing older successfully. Eighteen gay men, aged between 60 and 77, who identified themselves as ageing successfully, were interviewed individually. The interviews were semi-structured and addressed how they had psychologically managed the ageing process. In addition, five heterosexual men were interviewed in order to offer a comparison with the material collected from the homosexual group. All interviews were conducted and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Analysis identified three core categories reflecting the psychological ageing process of gay men: 'enemy alien identity'; 'swimming/coping strategies'; and 'belongings and exclusions'. The findings are then discussed in relation to research on: ageing and identity; theories of normal and successful ageing; and gay ageing. Finally, implications are considered for older gay men in elderly care services, and for psychological services for this, and future, generations of gay men.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy |
| Title: | A qualitative study exploring how gay men manage growing older |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Thesis digitised by ProQuest. |
| Keywords: | Social sciences; Psychology; Gay men |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10099305 |
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