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Bigras N, Popova N, Pedneault L, Brassard A, Bergeron S. Sexual well-being among partnered adults and couples over 60: a scoping review. Sex Med Rev 2024:qeae037. [PMID: 38824393 DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although society still holds age-related stereotypes dismissing the sexuality of aging individuals, older adults remain sexually active and find sexuality to be an important part of their quality of life. Primarily oriented toward a biomedical and dysfunctional lens, prior research neglected the subjective well-being of elderly individuals, especially partnered adults and couples aged 60 years or more. Shedding a more positive light on this area of life could promote older individuals' and couples' sexual well-being. OBJECTIVES This scoping review aimed to synthetize the studies including community samples of partnered adults or couples over 60 who reported on various indicators of subjective sexual well-being including sexual satisfaction, distress, and function using validated measures. METHODS Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAScR), the electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed journal articles published before July 2023. RESULTS Results showed how relational variables such as relationship satisfaction and intimacy emerge as important correlates of older adults' sexual well-being. CONCLUSION Avenues for future research arising from gaps in the studies identified thorough this scoping review, including the underrepresentation of sexual/gender diverse individuals and the use of single and/or non-validated items to assess sexual well-being, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Bigras
- Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Québec, J8X 3X7, Canada
| | - Nevena Popova
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Lydia Pedneault
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Audrey Brassard
- Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, boul. Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Sophie Bergeron
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
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Clark AN, Walters TL, Lefkowitz ES. "It's an ongoing discussion about desire": Adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies in romantic relationships. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2024. [PMID: 38605513 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Desire discrepancies are a common source of relationship conflict and one reason adults may seek couples counseling. Within romantic relationships, adults individually experience sexual and affectionate desire, but also experience desire relative to their partner. If desire discrepancies exist, partners may attempt to resolve these discrepancies. Thus, we examined adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Our sample consisted of 300 adults (45% women; Mage = 29.5; 86.3% LGBTQ+) who were in a romantic relationship and reported a desire discrepancy. Thematic analysis revealed five strategies for managing desire discrepancies: alternative behaviors, communication, doing nothing, engaging in behaviors anyway, and giving control to a specific partner. Adults reported similar strategies for resolving sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Perceived effectiveness and strategies varied by whether adults thought that their discrepancies were problematic. Our findings hold implications for clinicians approaching problematic desire discrepancies, and suggest strategies that may promote effective resolutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa N Clark
- Department of Psychology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, USA
| | - Tracy L Walters
- Department of Integrated Studies, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County, Janesville, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Eva S Lefkowitz
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Cameron J, Santos-Iglesias P. Sexual Activity of Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2024; 36:145-166. [PMID: 38616794 PMCID: PMC11008554 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2024.2318388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Objective: The goal was to conduct a literature review of studies that examined sexual activity in older adults. Method: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies that had examined sexual activity in adults aged 60 years and older. The main characteristics of each study and results were examined and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: Sixty-three articles were found. These articles were classified into three main groups based on the results they presented: percentage of older adults that were sexually active; frequency of sexual activity; and type of sexual activities. The results show that older adults are sexually active, engage in frequent sexual activity, and participate in a wide variety of activities. Conclusions: Although older adults remain sexually active, differences in the way sexual activity is assessed limit the drawing of firm conclusions and our understanding of the sexual activity of older adults. We propose a series of recommendations to gain a better understanding of this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Fischer N. Singles Not Sexually Satisfied? Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in Single versus Partnered Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:515-528. [PMID: 38596451 PMCID: PMC10903649 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2241849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objective The present study assesses the importance of individual, sexual behavioral, and evaluative factors on sexual satisfaction among single and partnered adults. Method Using data from a large web-sample of single (n = 1,075) and partnered (n = 3,063) individuals aged 18-89 from Norway. Results Higher contentment with sexual activity, sexual intercourse frequency, satisfaction with singlehood, and relationship satisfaction predicted higher sexual satisfaction, across relationship status and sex. Conclusions To tackle singlism and stereotypes about singles' sex lives, there is a need to further examine sexuality in singlehood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nantje Fischer
- Department of Psychology, National Research Centre on Sexual Health and Wellbeing (NaRSex), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Ede SS, Chepngeno-Langat G, Okoh CF. Changes and Forms of Sexual Behaviour in old age: A Qualitative Study of Older People in Southeastern Nigeria. SEXUALITY & CULTURE 2023; 27:1-23. [PMID: 37360019 PMCID: PMC10061393 DOI: 10.1007/s12119-023-10076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The misconceptions that old age is an asexual phase of human life has been challenged by increasing empirical evidence which shows that sexual activity persists in old age albeit in different forms and frequency. This study examined how a group of older people in southeastern Nigeria express their sexual behaviour. The semi-structured individual interviews with 14 older people (9 male, 5 female) aged 60?89 years were conducted using an exploratory qualitative approach. The data generated were analysed thematically, and two themes were conceptualised including diverse sexual behaviour and mutual understanding. These themes supported a pattern among the participants where there is a drop in the frequency of physical sexual behaviour but their sexual interests were described to be more stable. However, the sexual interest is channelled into more intimate sexual behaviour. Thus, sexual behaviours in later life in this study were not declining but showed diversity and modifications; most have adjusted to incorporate more emotional bonding and caring. More so, what forms of sexual behaviour constitute for these older partners are often linked to the presence of dynamic interplay of influencing factors ingrained on the level of the older partners mutuality in understanding and responding to theencroaching age-related changes in their sexual behaviour. Remarkably, these factors could be controlled, which signposts a potential premise and point of policy and practical intervention to promote healthy sexual behaviour in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Sunday Ede
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Gregory University, Uturu, Nigeria
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Central Lancashire, UK
| | - Gloria Chepngeno-Langat
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- African Population and Health Research Centre, Aging and Development Unit, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Chisom Favour Okoh
- Department of Gerontology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Galizia R, Theodorou A, Simonelli C, Lai C, Nimbi FM. Sexual Satisfaction Mediates the Effects of the Quality of Dyadic Sexual Communication on the Degree of Perceived Sexual Desire Discrepancy. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11050648. [PMID: 36900654 PMCID: PMC10001296 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11050648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Difficulties related to sexual desire discrepancy are among the most common complaints in people seeking help in therapy. The aims of the current study were to test a mediation model using a bootstrapping procedure where the quality of the dyadic sexual communication plays a key role in increasing or diminishing the degree of perceived sexual desire discrepancy through sexual satisfaction. An online survey was administered through social media to N = 369 participants involved in a romantic relationship, measuring the quality of dyadic sexual communication, sexual satisfaction, the degree of the perceived sexual desire discrepancy, and a series of relevant covariates. As expected, the mediation model showed that a better quality of dyadic sexual communication is related to a lower degree of perceived sexual desire discrepancy through increased sexual satisfaction (β = -0.17, SE = 0.05, [95% CI = -0.27, -0.07]). The effect held over and above the effect of the relevant covariates. The theoretical and practical implications of the present study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Galizia
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (F.M.N.)
| | | | - Chiara Simonelli
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Nimbi
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (F.M.N.)
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Stulz A, Favez N, Flahault C. Influence des facteurs individuels et dyadiques sur l’ajustement sexuel des couples lors d’un cancer du côlon. PSYCHO-ONCOLOGIE 2022. [DOI: 10.3166/pson-2022-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Contexte : Le cancer du côlon est le troisième cancer le plus diagnostiqué au monde et a un impact sur tous les aspects de la vie des patients et de leur partenaire. Jusqu’à présent, peu d’études ont étudié l’ajustement sexuel des patients et aucune n’a analysé les interactions entre les partenaires.
Objectif : Décrire les facteurs individuels et dyadiques liés à l’ajustement sexuel des couples.
Méthode : Treize couples ont répondu à un ensemble de questionnaires portant sur le soutien social, la communication et les stratégies de coping dyadique et la satisfaction sexuelle. Des analyses non paramétriques ont été réalisées sur les données quantitatives.
Résultats : Le soutien social, la communication et les stratégies d’adaptation dyadique jouent un rôle dans l’ajustement sexuel des couples. La satisfaction ressentie par les patients et leurs partenaires quant au soutien conjugal est corrélée positivement à l’ajustement sexuel du patient. La qualité de la communication des patients quant au stress engendré par la maladie est liée à la satisfaction sexuelle des partenaires. Le coping dyadique de soutien comme la gestion commune du stress favorisent l’ajustement sexuel des patients et des partenaires. Ces stratégies démontrent l’importance de l’unité au sein du couple, le cancer étant abordé comme une « maladie du couple ». Cet engagement mutuel semble favoriser la satisfaction sexuelle des couples.
Conclusion : Gérer la maladie et le stress lié aux traitements en tant que couple et percevoir son partenaire comme une source de soutien satisfaisante est particulièrement bénéfique pour la satisfaction sexuelle des couples dont un membre est atteint d’un cancer du côlon.
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Peixoto MM. Problematic sexual desire discrepancy in heterosexuals, gay men and lesbian women: differences in sexual satisfaction and dyadic adjustment. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.1999313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Manuela Peixoto
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada, Porto, Portugal
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Prause N, Siegle GJ, Coan J. Partner intimate touch is associated with increased interpersonal closeness, especially in non-romantic partners. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246065. [PMID: 33690603 PMCID: PMC7946224 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Relationship closeness promotes desirable health outcomes. Most interventions to increase relationship closeness are verbal, which may not suit all couples. We consider whether Orgasmic Meditation (OM), a structured, partnered, largely non-verbal practice that includes genital touch, also increases relationship closeness. We hypothesized that OM would increase feelings of closeness for both romantic and non-romantic partners. This is important, because intimate touch with non-romantic partners is commonly considered deleterious by clinicians, which may inadvertently increase feelings of shame. Dyads (n = 125) reported their feelings of closeness before and after OM. Approximately half of the participants were romantic partners, while the other half only engaged in OM together (non-romantic). Closeness after OM increased on average across participants. Non-romantic dyads increased self-other overlap more than romantic dyads. These data support that a partnered, largely non-verbal practice is associated with increased feelings of closeness in the moment, including for individuals who are not in a romantic relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Prause
- Liberos, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Greg J. Siegle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James Coan
- Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, North Carolina, United States of America
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Álvarez-Muelas A, Gómez-Berrocal C, Sierra JC. Study of Sexual Satisfaction in Different Typologies of Adherence to the Sexual Double Standard. Front Psychol 2021; 11:609571. [PMID: 33488475 PMCID: PMC7820393 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.609571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The sexual double standard (SDS) refers to the acceptance of different criteria to assess the same sexual behavior in men and women. To date, the few studies that have addressed the relationship between SDS and sexual satisfaction have obtained inconclusive results. In addition, no study has analyzed sexual satisfaction in people who maintain different forms of adherence to the SDS. This study establishes three SDS typologies of adherence (man-favorable, woman-favorable, egalitarian) in two areas of sexual behavior (sexual freedom and sexual shyness) to examine the predictive capacity of personal variables (age, social dominance orientation, propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition), interpersonal variables (relationship satisfaction) and social variables (gender norms about sexual behaviors) in sexual satisfaction. A sample of 1194 heterosexual adults (51.1% men, 48.8% women) aged between 18 and 87 years (M = 40.63; SD = 15.67), who had been in a relationship for more than 6 months, was evaluated. In men, the highest sexual satisfaction levels were obtained in the egalitarian typology in the sexual freedom area. In women, no significant differences were found between the typologies of adherence to the SDS. Regression models showed that relationship satisfaction was the main predictor of sexual satisfaction in all the typologies in both men and women. In addition, the predictive relationship of personal variables with sexual satisfaction varied according to gender and the SDS adherence type. The results show the importance of studying sexual satisfaction by taking into account not only the differences between men and women. Furthermore, it is essential to consider other differences between people; for example, the difference that derives from the way of psychologically internalizing attitude toward the SDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Álvarez-Muelas
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Juan Carlos Sierra
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Fischer N, Štulhofer A, Hald GM, Carvalheira A, Træen B. Sexual Satisfaction in Older Heterosexual Couples From Four European Countries: Exploring the Roles of Actual and Perceived Discrepancy in Sexual Interest. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2021; 58:64-73. [PMID: 32852228 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1809615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Even though sexual activity frequently takes place with another person, research rarely focuses on how partners influence each other's sexual lives. This study used the sexual dyad to compare the concept of actual versus perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and explored how each is related to older partnered individuals' sexual satisfaction. Further, the study assessed the robustness of the association between sexual interest discrepancy and sexual satisfaction, if any, by controlling for emotional intimacy. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) using structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine 677 heterosexual couples ages 60 to 75 in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. Although a couple's actual discrepancy in sexual interest was not predictive of female and male partners' sexual satisfaction, perceived discrepancy was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction in both partners after controlling for emotional intimacy. This indicates that the subjective feelings of being sexually dissimilar seem to be more important to sexual satisfaction than the actual mismatch among partners in older heterosexual couples. Moreover, the finding that emotional intimacy is linked with sexual satisfaction underscores the importance of a broader perspective on sexuality among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fischer
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
| | - A Štulhofer
- Department of Sociology, University of Zagreb
| | - G M Hald
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen
| | - A Carvalheira
- William James Center for Research, ISPA, University Institute
| | - B Træen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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