Experiences with social support among older adult women participating in gay square dancing

Beselt, L. Jayne; McDonough, Meghan H.; Walsh, Christine A.; Kenny, Sarah J.

Experiences with social support among older adult women participating in gay square dancing

dc.contributor.author	Beselt, L. Jayne
dc.contributor.author	McDonough, Meghan H.
dc.contributor.author	Walsh, Christine A.
dc.contributor.author	Kenny, Sarah J.
dc.date.accessioned	2023-06-12T18:30:11Z
dc.date.available	2023-06-12T18:30:11Z
dc.date.issued	2023-04
dc.description.abstract	LGBTQI2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and two-spirit, etc.) individuals face unique challenges to physical activity participation, such as discrimination and exclusion. Square dance is a form of collaborative group dancing and while traditionally a heteronormative form of dance, gay square dance is typically open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Square dancing offers opportunities to belong to a community of others engaged in the same activity, which older adults often find satisfying. The aim of this research was to understand how older adults who identify as women experience social support in the context of participating in gay square dance and the role previous experiences of social exclusion play in influencing these experiences. Fourteen self-identified women (age range 55–79 years; n = 11 White, n = 1 Black, n = 2 Jewish) belonging to a gay square dance club participated. Participants self-identified as heterosexual (n = 7), lesbian (n = 3), pansexual (n = 1), bisexual (n = 1), or did not identify with existing terminology (n = 2). Interviews were conducted during a gay square-dancing festival and thematically analyzed. Findings highlighted that participants experienced acceptance which affirmed their sense of self and enabled their authentic selves. To foster a sense of belonging and close relationships, specific actions (e.g., demonstrative welcoming of newcomers, mutual support) were taken by other participants in the group. Physical touch is an inherent part of square dancing, which took on different meanings for participants and was overall perceived as safe. Inclusive groups like gay square dance clubs are an important and consistent means where older adult women can experience meaningful social relationships and interactions.
dc.identifier.citation	Beselt, L. J., McDonough, M. H., Walsh, C. A., & Kenny, S. J. (2023). Experiences with social support among older adult women participating in gay square dancing. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102443
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102443
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/116617
dc.identifier.uri	https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/41460
dc.language.iso	en	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.publisher.faculty	Arts	en
dc.publisher.hasversion	acceptedVersion
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary	en
dc.publisher.policy	https://www.elsevier.com/journals/psychology-of-sport-and-exercise/1469-0292/open-access-options
dc.rights	Unless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.	en
dc.rights	Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International	en
dc.rights.uri	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subject	aging
dc.subject	psychosocial support
dc.subject	interpersonal relationships
dc.subject	dance
dc.subject	LGBTQI2S+
dc.title	Experiences with social support among older adult women participating in gay square dancing
dc.type	Article
ucalgary.scholar.level	Graduate, Faculty