The Elephant in the Room–A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Older Adults’ Sexuality

critical interpretive synthesis; Older adults; sexual behavior; sexuality; Gender Studies; Social Psychology; Reproductive Medicine; Dermatology; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Abstract :

[en] Objectives: This study aimed to explore past studies that have focused exclusively on the sexuality of adults older than 65 from a positive public health approach. Methods: We performed a critical interpretive synthesis, starting with the literature review on sexual behaviors in later life, adding policy documents on aging sexuality, and bringing new perspectives. Results: Older adults continue to be sexually active. Healthcare professionals lack knowledge and communication skills surrounding aging sexuality and no policies before 2013 mention aging sexuality. Conclusions: We posit that society’s view of later life sexuality reflects on practice, policies, and research on this topic, which influence back society’s view.

Disciplines :

Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

Cismaru Inescu, Adina ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH)

Adam, Stéphane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH)

Nobels, Anne ; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Kempeneers, Philippe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie clinique cognitive et comportementale

Beaulieu, Marie; School of Social Work and Research Centre on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada

Vandeviver, Christophe ; Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), Belgium

Keygnaert, Ines ; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Nisen, Laurent ; Université de Liège - ULiège > > Emancipation sociale, Santé des Populations, Réduction des Inégalités sociales dans des sociétés en transition

Language :

English

Title :

The Elephant in the Room–A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Older Adults’ Sexuality

Publication date :

2022

Journal title :

International Journal of Sexual Health

ISSN :

1931-7611

eISSN :

1931-762X

Publisher :

Routledge

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

90 - 104

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19317611.2021.1958040

Funding text :

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. This research was subsidized by the Belgian Federal Science Policy via contract BR/175/A5/UN-MENAMAIS. 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.This research was subsidized by the Belgian Federal Science Policy via contract BR/175/A5/UN-MENAMAIS. 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.

Available on ORBi :

since 23 June 2022

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