Reducing loneliness and enhancing well-being among gender and sexually diverse late middle-aged and older adults: An evidence-informed group intervention

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to design and conduct an exploratory evaluation of an evidence-informed workshop series to promote the holistic well-being of late middle-aged and older adults with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in Thailand. METHODS: The intervention, informed by the Minority Stress Model, the Transformative Learning Group Facilitation Model, and Experiential Learning Theory, focused on reducing loneliness and enhancing psychological, physical, social, and spiritual well-being by creating affirming, psychologically safe spaces. A non-randomized, single-group pre-post mixed-methods design was employed with 28 diverse SOGIESC participants aged 51-74. Quantitative data were collected using validated loneliness and well-being measures, while qualitative data from in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participants showed significant within-group reductions in emotional and social loneliness, with median scores decreasing by 1.0 point on a 3-point scale and large effect sizes (rrb = -.684 and -.725, respectively). Significant improvements were also observed in psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being, with moderate-to-large effect sizes (rrb = .460, .673, and .406, respectively). Qualitative findings highlighted the transformative role of social support, belonging, and affirmative community spaces in fostering self-acceptance and collective empowerment. DISCUSSION: These exploratory findings suggest that friendly space workshop interventions show promise in addressing loneliness and enhancing multiple dimensions of well-being among older adults with diverse SOGIESC. The findings also highlight the need for ageing and social policies that move beyond individual self-care toward relational, community-based, and structurally supportive models of well-being and inclusion.