Sexuality in older adults: behaviours and preferences
Ginsberg TB, Pomerantz SC and Kramer-Feeley V;
Commented by , 21 Sep 2005
Background
Most of us do not like to think about our parents or grandparents having sex (!), so relatively little is known about sexuality in older adults compared to younger people.
Objective
To investigate the range of sexual behaviours in a sample of lower-income older adults, and to identify their degree of satisfaction with their sexual activity.
Method
Subjects were 179 people, aged over 60, who were residents of subsidized independent-living facilities in New Jersey, USA. Residents were asked to complete, anonymously, a questionnaire during a 30 minute presentation on "Healthy Living in Older Adults". Research Assistants subsequently answered any questions, to increase recruitment.
The questionnaire comprised 27 multiple choice questions: 12 demographic/descriptive items, and 15 items seeking information on social, physical and sexual experience including frequency of hugging, holding hands, kissing, sexual intercourse, masturbation, satisfaction with the frequency and quality of sexual experiences, condom use, and sexual orientation.
Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was used to examine any link between age and self-reported medical status.
Results
179 completed the questionnaire: 166 of these were included for analysis, as 13 omitted their age or were under 60:
- Average age was 76 (range 61 – 91)
- 63% were female
- 82% were white
- 83% lived alone
- 14% lived with a partner
- 3% lived with others
The respondents were relatively healthy, 39% having none or one chronic illness, and 72% describing their health as good to excellent.
Physical contact such as touching, holding hands, embracing/hugging and kissing was reported by around 60%. However, overt sexual contact such as mutual stroking, masturbation and intercourse was experienced by 18%, 15% and 10% respectively.
For all the categories of physical and sexual experiences, participants wanted the opportunity to participate in the activity more often than they actually experienced it, with physical contact (kissing, hugging, holding hands) more commonly wished for than fuller sexual activity. In general, younger age and good health status increased the likelihood of wanting to be touched and wanting to have intercourse.
The most important barriers to sexual experience were identified as
- lack of partner (60%)
- age (32%)
- lack of interest (24%)
Dr Seymour's comments
Previous studies have shown that frequency of intimacy and intercourse declines with age, though there is a subgroup in where satisfaction with sexuality is unaffected by age.
In this sample, living in subsidised accommodation, only 14% were living with a partner, compared to the over 60 US population of whom 60% are married. Any survey of sexuality in older adults depends on the sample used, and is likely to generate under-reporting of some sexual activities (eg., masturbation), due to embarrassment.
This study supports previous literature suggesting that most older adults want to maintain a gentle sexual relationship that includes touching and kissing. It paints a rather bleak picture in this sample of isolated and lonely older people not having the opportunity to do so because of lack of opportunity.