Obesity and Sexuality Among Older Couples: Evidence From the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Kwon, Soyoung; Schafer, Markus H.

doi:10.1177/0898264316645541

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Some of these changes are related to health behaviors, chronic diseases, and other health conditions that interfere with sexual activity (DeLamater & Karraker, 2009; Lee et al, 2016; Syme et al, 2013). For example, physical activity and moderate alcohol use are positively associated with more frequent sexual activity and thoughts about sex (Allen & Desille, 2017), while being non-obese is associated with higher sexual activity (Kwon & Schafer, 2017). Such health behaviors are especially important for men because good cardiovascular health is linked to erectile function (Allen & Desille, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, older adults with hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes—conditions that affect the vascular system—have less frequent intercourse (Lindau et al, 2007). Having multiple chronic conditions and functional limitations is also negatively related to sexual activity (Kwon & Schafer, 2017; Stroope et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Declines in testosterone that affect men’s arousal response and erection strength (DeLamater, 2012) and declines in estrogen that may lead to vaginal thinning and difficulty lubricating among women (Addis et al, 2006; DeLamater & Karraker, 2009; Laumann et al, 2008). Such sexual health problems are associated with reduced odds of sexual activity—especially erectile problems for men (Kwon & Schafer, 2017; Waite et al, 2017) and pain during intercourse for women (Syme et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, older women’s sexual expression is defined almost exclusively within marital unions (Carpenter, 2010). This may be why hormone-related changes in women’s sexual functioning appear less associated with partnered sexual activities (Kwon & Schafer, 2017; Waite et al, 2017) and physical pleasure (Thomas et al, 2015). Thus, unlike among men, there is a less clear connection between specific health conditions and sexual activity and desire among women (Karraker et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sexual behavior in long-term heterosexual marriages is negotiated between spouses (Lodge & Umberson, 2012) and thus a growing number of studies use dyadic data to examine older adults’ sexual expression (e.g., Kwon & Schafer, 2017; Waite et al, 2017). These studies often focus on either overall sexual activity or separate behavioral and attitudinal measures.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Older married couples’ sexual expression: A dyadic latent class analysis

Warner

Lyons

2020

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Many older adults continue to engage in sexual behavior, most often in the context of long-term marriages. Prior studies have tended to examine older adults’ sexual behavior, desires and motivations separately. Thus, there remain considerable gaps in our understanding of the multifaceted-nature of older couples’ sexual expression. Using dyadic latent class analysis and data on 953 heterosexual couples in long-term marriages from Wave 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), we describe configurations of couples’ sexual expression. Four latent classes were identified. Within each latent class, couples were largely in agreement about their sexual behaviors, but husbands consistently expressed greater desire and motivation than their wives. In the highest engagement class, couples reported more frequent and wide-ranging activities (vaginal sex, oral sex, intimate touching), more frequent thinking about sex, greater satisfaction with their amount of sexual activity, and placed more importance on sex as part of their lives. In the lowest engagement class, both spouses indicated no sexual activity in the past year, but neither spouse was content with this situation even as both agreed sex was not an important part of life. Demographic, relational, and health factors were associated with membership in different classes. Health factors—especially sexual difficulties—were most predictive, with husbands’ health more associated with latent class membership than wives’ health. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of sexual expression among older married couples, geriatricians and other health practitioners should provide care that recognizes a wider array of activities and the potential for unmet need. Sexual expression is an important component of older adults’ health and well-being.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Older married couples’ sexual expression: A dyadic latent class analysis

Warner

Lyons

2020

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

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Sexual Health of Women with Obesity: A Review of the Literature

Köse¹,

Hodgson

Cunningham

2020

Journal of Feminist Family Therapy

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Couple Analysis in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Wong

Hsieh

2021

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B

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Objectives Marital and intimate partner relationships are some of the most important social ties that shape older adults’ health and well-being. This paper provides analytic guidelines for the couple data in Round 2 (2010–2011) and Round 3 (2015–2016) of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) to encourage more research on marriage and partnership in late life. Method First, we describe the recruitment of couples and outline how to identify partners in the data sets. Second, we provide descriptive information about the couple sample. Third, we offer guidance for analyzing the dyadic data cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Results Round 2 interviewed all primary respondents and a sample of their current cohabiting partners and spouses (n = 955 couples). In Round 3, NSHAP reinterviewed the primary respondents and partners who participated in Round 2 (Cohort 1; n = 621 couples) and recruited a new sample of age-eligible adults along with any cohabiting romantic partners (Cohort 2; n = 766 couples). Couples can be identified using a household ID variable in Round 2 and a partner ID variable in Round 3. Demographic characteristics of the couple sample vary by round and cohort. Discussion Researchers can use data from either round to conduct cross-sectional dyadic analyses to examine issues faced by older couples. A common strategy for couple analysis is the actor–partner interdependence model. With 2 rounds of couple-level data, researchers may consider using cross-lagged models in their research.

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Obesity and Sexuality Among Older Couples: Evidence From the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Abstract: The growing number of older adults with high levels of body mass index, particularly women, may face certain difficulties in maintaining active sexual lives.

Cited by 3 publications

References 75 publications

Older married couples’ sexual expression: A dyadic latent class analysis

Older married couples’ sexual expression: A dyadic latent class analysis

Sexual Health of Women with Obesity: A Review of the Literature

Couple Analysis in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

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