Civic Engagement and Loneliness in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ Australian Volunteers
Australian Social Work, Vol.76(4), pp.575-588
2023
144
research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.intro
research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.source
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) people in Australia are actively engaged in civic life, contributing volunteer service to various political, activist, and community organisations. Although there is emerging evidence that civic engagement contributes to the health and wellbeing of the general population, information about how volunteerism contributes to LGBTIQ+ community wellbeing has only recently emerged. We used a prospective cross-sectional design to investigate responsibility for civic engagement, sense of community, and loneliness among a convenience sample of LGBTIQ+ volunteers (N = 195). Findings were that volunteers reported a consistent and high degree of community engagement and a strong sense of attachment to the Australian LGBTIQ+ community. A higher-than-expected degree of loneliness was reported in this sample of volunteers, and it was notable that being transgender or gender diverse was a significant predictor of loneliness. This highlights the importance of loneliness among transgender and gender diverse people and the value of discerning differences between groups in the LGBTIQ+ community.
- Civic Engagement and Loneliness in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer+ Australian Volunteers
- Trevor G Gates - University of the Sunshine CoastMark Hughes - Southern Cross University
- Australian Social Work, Vol.76(4), pp.575-588
- Routledge
- 991012932297802368
- © 2021 Australian Association of Social Workers
- Social Work; Faculty of Health
- English
- Journal article