Resilience among LGBTQ+ older adults: implications for nursing practice and the organization of integrated care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12923/pielxxiw-2026-0045Keywords:
missed nursing care, resilience, integrated care, organisational culture, LGBTQ+ older adultsAbstract
RESILIENCE AMONG LGBTQ+ OLDER ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE AND THE ORGANIZATION
OF INTEGRATED CARE
Aim. The aim of this study was to explore resilience among LGBTQ+ older adults and to analyse its implications for nursing practice and for the organisation of integrated health and social care.
Material and methods. A qualitative study design was applied. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 11 LGBTQ+ older adults aged 50 years and over, recruited using the method of snowball sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and underwent qualitative content analysis supported by NVivo software.
Results. The overarching category, navigating ageing and care in the context of lifelong minority stress, illustrates resilience as a dynamic process shaped by discrimination and healthcare experiences. While resilience supported autonomy, it could also conceal unmet needs. The organisational climate, professional competence and structural conditions influenced disclosure and access to services, revealing gaps in education and integrated care that may perpetuate structural invisibility.
Conclusions. The mental resilience among LGBTQ+ older adults should be understood not only as an individual psychological resource, but also as a phenomenon shaped by organisational and societal contexts. Nursing practice and integrated care systems must include culturally competent education, inclusive procedures and coordinated service delivery to support equitable ageing and reduce the cumulative effects of minority stress.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mihael Nedeljko, Boris Miha Kaučič (Autor)
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