Happiness, rather than depression, is associated with sexual behaviour in partnered older adults

Freak‐Poli, Rosanne; Lima, Gustavo De Castro; Direk, Neşe; Jaspers, Loes; Pitts, Marian; Hofman, Albert; Tiemeier, Henning

doi:10.1093/ageing/afw168

Cited by 13 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The greatest barrier to being sexually active at older age is lack of sexual partner availability, for which women are particularly disadvantaged. Moreover, sexual activity is strongly determined by well-being, in particular happiness rather than lack of depression [ 346 ].…”

Section: Psychiatric Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rotterdam Study: 2018 update on objectives, design and main results

et al. 2017

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The Rotterdam Study is a prospective cohort study ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The study targets cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, otolaryngological, locomotor, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. Since 2016, the cohort is being expanded by persons aged 40 years and over. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over 1500 research articles and reports (see www.erasmus-epidemiology.nl/rotterdamstudy). This article gives the rationale of the study and its design. It also presents a summary of the major findings and an update of the objectives and methods.

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Section: Psychiatric Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rotterdam Study: 2018 update on objectives, design and main results

et al. 2017

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“…Since the CES-D scale was created in 1977, it has been adapted for use in various types of surveys, such as by self-report or interview, and its usability has been extended to different populations, including the elderly. 20 21 22 The CES-D was designed to measure depressive symptoms by 20 items that ask about symptoms experienced during the last week. 23 The response values for each question are 0 to 4, with the total range of the scale being 0 to 60.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the Relationship between Depression and C Reactive Protein Level Moderated by Social Support in Elderly?-Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP)

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Kim

Waite

et al. 2018

Psychiatry Investig

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ObjectiveTo investigate the buffering effects of social support as an effects modifier in the association between depression and inflammation in the elderly.MethodsWe analyzed the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) for questionnaire, clinical, and laboratory data of 530 older adults living in a rural community. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and C-reactive protein level (CRP), a marker of inflammation, at varying levels of social support.ResultsSocial support affected the association between depressive symptoms and CRP level in both sexes. However, the direction of effects modification was different for men and women. In men, a higher CRP level was significantly associated with depressive symptoms only among those with lower support from a spouse or family members. By contrast, in women, the association was significant only among subgroups with higher spousal or family support. Social support from neighbors or friends did not affect the depression-inflammation relationship in men but modestly affected the relationship in women.ConclusionOur findings suggest that social support may have a buffering effect in the relationship between depression and inflammation in elderly Koreans. But the influence of social support may run in different directions for men and women.

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“…Cognitive impairment was defined as a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of less than 26 (< 26). For the Rotterdam Study, an MMSE score < 26 has been previously utilised to distinguish cognitive impairment, and has been utilised as an exclusion criteria when completing self-reported questionnaires [ 5 , 21 , 26 ]. The MMSE is a validated, self-reported instrument that measures general cognitive function.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Results were stratified by gender (male or female) and partner status (partnered or unpartnered) due to their differential effects upon sexual availability [ 1 , 5 , 21 ] and cognitive impairment. Partner status was determined by asking (1) “What is your marital status?” with response options “never been married,” “married/cohabiting,” “widowed” and “divorced.” Those who did not answer “married/cohabiting” were asked (2) “Do you currently have a partner?” with response options “yes, a partner with whom I live,” “yes, a partner with whom I do not live” and “no, I have no partner.” Those who answered “married/cohabiting,” “yes, a partner with whom I live,” or “yes, a partner with whom I do not live” were considered “partnered,” while those who answered “no, I have no partner” to the second question were considered “unpartnered.”…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cognitive Impairment, Sexual Activity and Physical Tenderness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Exploration

et al. 2018

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Background: The ability to engage in sexual activity and better cognitive functioning are both associated with better health. However, the association between cognitive functioning and sexual activity is understudied. Objective: To examine the association between cognitive functioning with sexual activity and physical tenderness among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: From the Rotterdam Study, cognitive impairment and sexual activity were assessed in 4,201 community-dwelling, 60+ year olds between 2008 and 2014 in the Netherlands. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was based upon subjective complaints related to age and education-adjusted test scores. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) impairment was defined by a score of < 26. Sexual activity and physical tenderness (e.g., fondling or kissing) in the last 6 months were assessed at an interview. Analyses were stratified by gender and partner status, with prevalence rates for the “no impairment” categories weighted based on age from the cognitive impairment categories. Inter-rater reliability was examined utilising 74 cohabiting couples of opposite gender. Results: It was found that 14% were categorised as having cognitive impairment, and < 1% as dementia (excluded from subsequent analyses). There was strong evidence that the odds of engaging in physical tenderness (observed through MMSE < 26, OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.32–3.48, p = 0.002) and sexual activity (MCI, OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.35–4.12, p = 0.003) among partnered females with no impairment was twice that observed among cognitively impaired partnered females. There was weak evidence that the odds of engaging in physical tenderness (MMSE < 26, OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.04–2.42, p = 0.03) and sexual activity (MMSE < 26, OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.02–2.24, p = 0.04) among partnered males with no impairment was 50% greater than observed among cognitively impaired partnered males. The associations between cognitive functioning and physical tenderness continued to remain after adjustment for physical function, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. There was no clear evidence of a difference between amnestic and non-amnestic MCI for sexual behaviour. There was moderate to substantial agreement among the coupled adults who had 1 partner categorised with MCI. Conclusion: Having no cognitive impairment was associated with more engagement in sexual activity and physical tenderness among community-dwelling older adults. Sexuality is an important aspect of active aging and our findings illustrate a potential barrier to maintaining or instigating intimate relationships as we age. Longitudinal analyses are required to explore the direction of effect.

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Happiness, rather than depression, is associated with sexual behaviour in partnered older adults

Cited by 13 publications

References 27 publications

The Rotterdam Study: 2018 update on objectives, design and main results

The Rotterdam Study: 2018 update on objectives, design and main results

Is the Relationship between Depression and C Reactive Protein Level Moderated by Social Support in Elderly?-Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP)

Cognitive Impairment, Sexual Activity and Physical Tenderness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Exploration

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