OBJECTIVES: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults report poorer mental health than their cisgender-heterosexual peers. Age discrimination may be a mechanism underlying these disparities. The current study examined whether SGM older adults reported more age discrimination and, in turn, higher depression and anxiety, compared to cisgender-heterosexual older adults. METHODS: As part of a larger study, 744 older adults (aged ≥ 50
RESULTS: Compared to cisgender-heterosexual men and women, all three SGM groups reported more age discrimination which, in turn, was associated with higher depression and anxiety. Further, compared to cisgender-heterosexual women, cisgender-heterosexual men reported more age discrimination which, in turn, was associated with higher depression and anxiety. All indirect effects were significant. CONCLUSION: Age discrimination may be a mechanism underlying the mental health disparities affecting SGM older adults and a promising intervention target.