Geriatrics; Sexuality; Aging; 70 years and Older; Sex Factors; Tenderness
Abstract :
[en] Background: Despite the World Health Organization calling for sexuality to be recognized as an aspect of wellbeing, no studies have explored sexual activity and physical tenderness in older adults aged ≥ 75 years in Belgium or those aged ≥ 85 years worldwide.
Aim: To assess the prevalence and predictors of sexual activity and physical tenderness in a sample of older adults.
Methods: Using data from a Belgian cross-sectional study on sexual violence (UN-MENAMAIS), information on sexual activity, physical tenderness, and associated characteristics was collected during structured face-to-face interviews with older adults living in the community, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. Cluster random probability sampling with a random route-finding approach was used to select the participants.
Outcomes: Current sexual activity and physical tenderness in the previous 12 months, sociodemographic characteristics, chronological age, subjective age, number of sexual partners, sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward sexuality
in later life, quality of life, and lifetime sexual victimisation.
Results: Among the 511 participants included, 50.3% were in a relationship, mainly living with their partner; 31.3% indicated they were sexually active; and 47.3% of sexually inactive participants reported having experienced forms of physical tenderness in the previous 12 months. Sexual activity was associated with the presence of a partner, satisfaction with sexual life, permissive attitudes regarding sexuality in later life, a younger age, and a
lack of disability. Physical tenderness was associated with the presence of a partner, community residency, and permissive attitudes regarding sexuality in later life.
Clinical Implications: Raising awareness among the general population, healthcare professionals, and older adults about sexuality in later life could contribute to ending this taboo and should therefore be a priority for society.
Strengths and Limitations: Our study fills a gap in the literature regarding sexual activity and physical tenderness in older adults aged ≥ 70 years, including respondents aged up to 99 years. Additionally, we explored different forms of sexual expression beyond intercourse, and face-to-face interviews contributed to the quality of the collected data. The main limitation of this study was the sample size, although the findings were similar to recent statistical indicators in Belgium.
Conclusion: One in 3 older adults aged ≥ 70 years living in Belgium are sexually active. These findings provide an opportunity to inform the general public and older adults about later life sexuality and to educate healthcare professionals about aging sexuality to increase discussions and avoid assumptions of asexuality in later life.
Research Center/Unit :
International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium School of Social Work and Research Centre on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Cismaru Inescu, Adina ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH) ; Université de Liège - ULiège > > Emancipation sociale, Santé des Populations, Réduction des Inégalités sociales dans des sociétés en transition
Hahaut, Bastien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > > Emancipation sociale, Santé des Populations, Réduction des Inégalités sociales dans des sociétés en transition
Adam, Stéphane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH)
Nobels, Anne; UGent - Ghent University > Department of Public Health and Primary Care > International Centre for Reproductive Health
Beaulieu, Marie; University of Sherbrooke > School of Social Work and Research Centre on Aging
Vandeviver, Christophe; UGent - Ghent University > Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law > Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy
Keygnaert, Ines; UGent - Ghent University > Department of Public Health and Primary Care > International Centre for Reproductive Health
Nisen, Laurent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > > Emancipation sociale, Santé des Populations, Réduction des Inégalités sociales dans des sociétés en transition
Language :
English
Title :
Sexual Activity and Physical Tenderness in Older Adults: Prevalence and Associated Characteristics From a Belgian Study
BELSPO - Belgian Science Policy Office FWO - Flemish Research Foundation
Funding text :
The research used for this study was subsidized by the Belgian Federal Science Policy via contract BR/175/A5/UNMENAMAIS. C.V.’s contribution to this work was supported in part by the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO) Postdoctoral Fellowship funding scheme under Grants 12C0616N to C.V., 12C0619N to C.V.
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