Acceso usuarios
Brazil is currently a country characterized by its vertiginous growth in the older population and the feminization of old age. However, sexual and gender minorities have specific characteristics that affect the ageing and old age of this population, as is the case with lesbian women, especially middle-aged and older women. In this context, the perception of Quality of Life (QoL) can be affected, making it relevant to investigate. This study aimed to investigate Social Representations (SR) among middle-aged and older lesbian women about QoL in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 21 middle-aged and older women (m=57.67 years). Two instruments were used to collect the data: I) a sociodemographic questionnaire and II) a semi-structured interview. SPSS software version 21.0 was used for the sociodemographic data, and Iramuteq version 0.7 for the semi-structured interviews. The result was a dendrogram containing 4 classes of words. It is argued that the participants' SRs point to the impact of socially experienced discrimination on their perception of QoL, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We hope to encourage debate about the need for public safety and health policies that reach out to lesbian women in the course of their aging and old age and that can influence a more positive QoL.
Brazil is one of the countries with the largest elderly population, as well as one of the countries with the highest percentage of elderly females. From this fact, some authors began to carry out research with the aim of studying and understanding the diversity of different scenarios experienced by minorities, such as the population of lesbian, middle-aged and older women. Among the topics related to old age and the aging process, Quality of Life is one of those researched, in order to have a better understanding of the factors that influence it in the life of the elderly LGBT population. With this in mind, this research aims to understand how the process of elaborating the Social Representations of middle-aged and older lesbians in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic takes place, and how these women perceive their QoL in this context. The research had the participation of 21 middle-aged and older women, with an average age of 57.67. In data collection, two instruments were used: a sociodemographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. From the data analysis, the information was grouped into 146 text segments and divided into 4 word classes. Thus, in view of what was exposed in the classes, it was concluded that these women understand that they still suffer discrimination by the society in which they currently live.
