Economic Well-Being and Family Support as Predictors of Life Satisfaction among LGBQ Adults

• In Event: 571 - Section on Economic Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. The Construction and Consequences of Identities and Labels

Abstract

While studies with the general population indicate that one’s life satisfaction is related to economic well-being and social support, much less is known about these constructs among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) populations. The current study examines the relationship between economic well-being and life satisfaction in a sample of LGBQ individuals. Further, the direct and moderating effects of family and community support are examined. Data were collected from a community sample of 458 individuals who self-identified as LGBQ and resided in 54 communities across 33 counties in downstate Illinois. Participants ranged in age from 17 to 74 (M = 38.80, SD = 13.81), and the majority were female (62.3%). As hypothesized, perceived financial stress and proximal family support each had a significant main effect on life satisfaction. Household income (adjusted by number of individuals living in the household) had a non-linear effect on life satisfaction. Community attachment and community support for LGBQ individuals were not associated with life satisfaction, and the moderating hypotheses were not supported. The findings, and their implications, are discussed.

Authors

• Vanja Lazarevic, Harvard University

• Ramona F. Oswald, University of Illinois

• Karen Z. Kramer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Elizabeth G. Holman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign