Sexual Frequency Decline From Midlife to Later Life

Karraker, Amelia; DeLamater, John; Schwartz, Christine R.

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbr058

Cited by 123 publications

(102 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Karraker and colleagues, using a regression decomposition method on data from the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) and NSHAP, found that women's declining health did not account for a significant portion of sexual frequency decline (Karraker, Delamater, & Schwartz, 2011). Although this is consistent with our findings that chronic illnesses and general health were more clearly linked to sexual activities and functioning in men than women, we did observe that diabetes and fair or poor self-rated health were associated with reduced sexual activity in both genders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Health and Well-being Among Older Men and Women in England: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

et al. 2015

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We describe levels of sexual activity, problems with sexual functioning and concerns about sexual health among older adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), and associations with age, health and partnership factors. Specifically, a total of 6201 core ELSA participants (56% women) aged 50 to >90 completed a comprehensive Sexual Relationships and Activities questionnaire (SRA-Q) included in ELSA wave 6 (2012/13). The prevalence of reporting any sexual activity in the last year declined with age, with women less likely than men at all ages to report being sexually active. Poorer health was associated with lower levels of sexual activity and a higher prevalence of problems with sexual functioning, particularly among men. Difficulties most frequently reported by sexually active women related to becoming sexually aroused (32%) and achieving orgasm (27%), while for men it was erectile function (39%). Sexual health concerns most commonly reported by women related to their level of sexual desire (11%) and frequency of sexual activities (8%). Among men it was level of sexual desire (15%) and erectile difficulties (14%). While the likelihood of reporting sexual health concerns tended to decrease with age in women, the opposite was seen in men. Poor sexual functioning and disagreements with a partner about initiating and/or feeling obligated to have sex were associated with greater concerns about and dissatisfaction with overall sex life. Levels of sexual activity decline with increasing age, although a sizable minority of men and women remain sexually active until the eighth and ninth decades of life.Problems with sexual functioning were relatively common, but overall levels of sexual health concerns were much lower. Sexually active men reported higher levels of concern with their sexual health and sexual dissatisfaction than women at all ages. Older peoples' sexual health should be managed, not just in the context of their age, gender and general health, but also within their existing sexual relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Health and Well-being Among Older Men and Women in England: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

et al. 2015

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“…Older white men have sex less frequently. Frequency does not vary by race for older women (Karraker, DeLamater, & Schwartz, 2011). Education positively predicts older adult sex outcomes (DeLamater & Sill, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Marital Characteristics and the Sexual Relationships of U.S. Older Adults: An Analysis of National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project Data

2014

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We tested several hypotheses regarding the relationship between marital characteristics and sexual outcomes among 1,656 married adults ages 57-85 years from the 2005-2006 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Results showed that individuals in their first marriage had more frequent sex than remarried individuals; marital duration had a curvilinear (U-shaped) relationship with frequency of sex; and a linear relationship between marital duration and frequency of sex varied by gender such that men had more frequent sex than women in younger marriages. We speculate that relationship permanency may drive the greater sexual activity in first marriages and sicker men in younger marriages may drive frequency of sex for women in younger marriages.

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“…Sexual functioning, activity, interest and satisfaction have been associated with physical benefits such as cardiovascular health, physical benefits of exercise, increased relaxation, and decreased pain sensitivity (Brody, 2010;Chen, Zhan, & Tan, 2009;Jannini, Fischer, Bitzer, & McMahon, 2009). Moreover, health problems of older adults may interfere with their desire for or ability to engage in sexual activities, such as sexual touching and intercourse (Karraker et al, 2011). The link between physical health and sexual activity may explain the observed association between increased age and decreased engagement in partnered sexual activity (Call, Sprecher, & Schwartz, 1995;Galinsky & Waite, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, physical health conditions can be relevant regarding sexual relations and sexual health (Lindau et al, 2007). Physical health affects the capacity of individuals and their partners to engage in sexual activity and mortality influences the availability of sexual partners (Karraker et al, 2011). Additionally, specific conditions, namely, diabetes and hypertension are associated with declines in sexual function (Lindau et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Older Adults Well Sexually? Sexual Well-Being among a Cross-National Sample of Older Adults

Humboldt¹,

Leal²,

Monteiro³

2016

RES

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Objectives: To analyze sexual well-being (SWB) in older adults' perspective, to investigate the latent constructs that can work as major determinants in SWB and to examine the potential explanatory mechanisms of a SWB overall model, in an older cross-national sample. Method: Measures were completed, using a variety of appropriate methods, including demographics and interviews. Complete data were available for 163 older adults aged between 65-97 years (M=74.2; SD = 4.743). Data were subjected to content analysis. Representation of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed by a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Results: The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for SWB was "affection and care" (11.0%). A three-dimension model formed by "intimacy and well-being", "care, eroticism and desire", and "sexual activity and health" was presented as a best-fit solution for German older adults. SWB for Portuguese older adults were explained by a three-factor model: "intimacy, health and desire", "affection and well-being" and "sexual activity". Conclusions: The outcomes presented in this paper emphasized the need to explore the indicators of SWB among older adults and the under-developed potential of a SWB overall model for the older population.

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Sexual Frequency Decline From Midlife to Later Life

Abstract: Results provide evidence for gendered experiences in the sexual life course.

Cited by 123 publications

References 31 publications

Sexual Health and Well-being Among Older Men and Women in England: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Sexual Health and Well-being Among Older Men and Women in England: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Marital Characteristics and the Sexual Relationships of U.S. Older Adults: An Analysis of National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project Data

Are Older Adults Well Sexually? Sexual Well-Being among a Cross-National Sample of Older Adults

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