Grant: Op. Gr. Adv. 2S_LGBTQI+ Heal. Thr. Res. - 2S/LGBTQI+ Older Persons Health

2S/LGBTQI+ older adults (aged 65+) represent a distinct group within the 2SLGBTQI+ community whose lives have been shaped by historical and ongoing exposures to minority stress and discrimination. Ageism is considered the last socially accepted form of prejudice, which negatively impacts health and well-being in later life. Ageism experienced by 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults may compound the effects of sexual and gender identity-based discrimination, further increasing risk for poor mental health and well-being, relative to non-2S/LGBTQI+ peers. Research suggests that mindfulness is a protective factor that can buffer against the negative effects of chronic minority stress and support positive aging expectations. While mindfulness-informed interventions have demonstrated potential to support 2S/LGBTQI+ younger adults, there are no studies that have addressed how mindfulness-informed interventions may address 2S/LGBTQI+- and age-related stressors concurrently among 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults. The proposed project adopts a community-centred, participatory action approach to develop a model of healthy 2S/LGBTQI+ aging and to co-design a mental health and well-being program for 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults. Across three integrated studies, this project will explore how healthy aging is defined and cultivated among 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults (Study 1), co-create with 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults a mindfulness-informed program to support healthy aging among 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults (Study 2), and implement and evaluate the co-developed program (Study 3). Working in partnership with community organizations, this research addresses critical gaps in the literature by examining pathways through which minority stress and ageism shape mental health and by translating these insights into affirming, community-informed interventions for 2S/LGBTQI+ older adults.