Do sexual minority strengths buffer the association between sexual minority stressors and loneliness among midlife and older sexual minority cisgender men?

Cisgender sexual minority men (SMM) are disproportionately affected by loneliness in transitions to older adulthood relative to their heterosexual counterparts. This study sought to evaluate whether sexual minority strengths mediated the associations between sexual minority stressors and loneliness among midlife and older adult SMM. Data (N = 1203 SMM age 40+) came from three study visits of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study's (MACS) Healthy Aging Substudy (2016-2019). Evaluated sexual minority stressors included sexual orientation discrimination and internalized homophobia. Sexual minority strengths included gay community attachment and homophobia management. Time-lagged mediation analysis assessed causal relationships between sexual minority stressors, strengths, and self-reported loneliness. Self-reported loneliness (UCLA-3) was low in our sample (median = 1, IQR [0-3], maximum = 9). Controlling for covariates, gay community attachment mediated the association between internalized homophobia and loneliness (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI [0.035-0.084], p < 0.0001). No other statistically significant pathways to loneliness were observed. The broader gay community reflects a source of resilience in the context of loneliness for midlife and older SMM. Community-based interventions addressing loneliness among aging SMM, particularly those with high internalized homophobia levels, should enhance opportunities for SMM who are not easily able to connect or experience the health-promotive qualities afforded by gay networks.