LGBT Old Age and Spiritist People: A study of Social Representations

Authors

  • Lorena Alves Jesus Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Ludgleydson Fernandes Araújo Universidad de Granada
  • José Victor de Oliveira Santos Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Hiago Veras Gomes Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Ana Gabriela Aguiar Trevia Salgado Universidade Federal do Piauí
  • Marielle Monte Universidade Federal do Piauí

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the social representations among spiritist people. The sample consisted of 47 people from the Brazilian states of both sexes, mostly women 74.4%, as minimum age of 18 years and maximum of 69 years, with an average of 39.7 years (SD = 8.7). For data collection, we used a sociodemographic questionnaire and a question: How do you understand LGBT old age? Subsequently, they were submitted to an analysis, in the software Iramuteq, by the descending hierarchical classification method that originated four classes of semantic approximation. Sociodemographic data were analyzed using SPSS software. Regarding the content of the classes, social representations are approached related to the difficulty of being elderly LGBT in the face of prejudices, stereotypes and little family acceptance. On the other hand, there were social representations related to the courage to assume sexual orientation in a heteronormative social context. As well, we identify the little knowledge of LGBT old age. In this sense, studies are indispensable, since the LGBT elderly are practically invisible in society.

Keywords:

social representations, LGBT old age, spiritist people