# Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Spousal/Partner Caregiving in Later Life

> **NIH NIH R21** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2020 · $231,608

## Abstract

Project Summary
Despite estimates of 3 million gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender older persons today,
doubling in the next two decades (SAGE, 2014), to date, older same-sex partner caregivers
have received little research attention. This qualitative study of 60 same-sex and heterosexual
spousal/partner caregivers seeks to pinpoint how caregivers draw upon existing gender
repertoires – sets of skills and resources learned over the life course that affirm gender
identities formed in relation to the gender division of labor – in performing their care work. The
resulting caregiving approaches influence the particular areas of care work that will be found
problematic, the ways caregivers might respond to these challenges, and the extent to which
such strategies help caregivers effectively perform their work. This study asks how sexual
orientation shapes gender repertories, given that the division of labor among gay and lesbian
couples must be negotiated, and examines how this shapes caregiving approaches and
experiences. Understanding how sexual orientation contextualizes repertoires and caregiving
approaches will provide much needed information on caregiving performed by gay and lesbian
partners and on heterosexual spouses by expanding notions of gender. Such knowledge has
implications for both policy-makers and practitioners who seek to fashion effective interventions
that can help caregivers with their tasks and avoid negative physical and mental health
outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9852936
- **Project number:** 5R21AG061365-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Toni Calasanti
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $231,608
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9852936

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9852936, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Spousal/Partner Caregiving in Later Life (5R21AG061365-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9852936. Licensed CC0.

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