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Sex and relationships in later life: older adults’ experiences and perceptions of sexual changes

Sex and relationships in later life: older adults’ experiences and perceptions of sexual changes
Sex and relationships in later life: older adults’ experiences and perceptions of sexual changes

The aim of this study was to explore the sexual lives of older adults in the UK to elucidate their experiences of sexual changes and problems, and the role of intimacy and interpersonal support in coping with these changes. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 31 participants (aged 66–92, mean = 74, 16 women and 15 men), analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Our analysis generated three themes: Sexual Changes are “Natural,” Sex is the Icing on the Cake, and Maintaining Sexual Connection and Relationship Satisfaction. The participants often rationalized and accepted sexual changes and problems as part of the natural aging process, or as a consequence of other age-related health issues. Sexual activity was seen by many as the “icing on the cake” of a satisfying romantic relationship, built on strong foundations of intimacy, connection, and companionship. Relationship satisfaction and sexual wellbeing can be maintained despite changes to sexual function by retaining a sexual connection through shared experiences, emotional closeness, and support. The findings have important implications for researchers and health providers, and suggest that adopting an “affirmative older age” perspective would be useful for not only future research but also when providing support for older adults with sexual difficulties.

0022-4499
Towler, Lauren B.
ebb4fb4e-703f-4e52-a9dc-53e72ca68e8f
Graham, Cynthia
ac400331-f231-4449-a69b-ec9a477224c8
Bishop, Felicity
1f5429c5-325f-4ac4-aae3-6ba85d079928
Hinchliff, Sharron
d9591b60-f230-4107-a60a-1a9b0ec4ef7a
Towler, Lauren B.
ebb4fb4e-703f-4e52-a9dc-53e72ca68e8f
Graham, Cynthia
ac400331-f231-4449-a69b-ec9a477224c8
Bishop, Felicity
1f5429c5-325f-4ac4-aae3-6ba85d079928
Hinchliff, Sharron
d9591b60-f230-4107-a60a-1a9b0ec4ef7a

Towler, Lauren B., Graham, Cynthia, Bishop, Felicity and Hinchliff, Sharron (2022) Sex and relationships in later life: older adults’ experiences and perceptions of sexual changes. The Journal of Sex Research. (doi:10.1080/00224499.2022.2093322).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the sexual lives of older adults in the UK to elucidate their experiences of sexual changes and problems, and the role of intimacy and interpersonal support in coping with these changes. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 31 participants (aged 66–92, mean = 74, 16 women and 15 men), analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Our analysis generated three themes: Sexual Changes are “Natural,” Sex is the Icing on the Cake, and Maintaining Sexual Connection and Relationship Satisfaction. The participants often rationalized and accepted sexual changes and problems as part of the natural aging process, or as a consequence of other age-related health issues. Sexual activity was seen by many as the “icing on the cake” of a satisfying romantic relationship, built on strong foundations of intimacy, connection, and companionship. Relationship satisfaction and sexual wellbeing can be maintained despite changes to sexual function by retaining a sexual connection through shared experiences, emotional closeness, and support. The findings have important implications for researchers and health providers, and suggest that adopting an “affirmative older age” perspective would be useful for not only future research but also when providing support for older adults with sexual difficulties.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 18 June 2022
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 July 2022
Published date: 19 July 2022
Additional Information: Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 468034
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/468034
ISSN: 0022-4499
PURE UUID: da7685ae-dbf9-4618-a342-2f563d693c5e
ORCID for Lauren B. Towler: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6597-0927
ORCID for Cynthia Graham: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-599X
ORCID for Felicity Bishop: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8737-6662

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Date deposited: 28 Jul 2022 16:45
Last modified: 23 Mar 2024 05:04

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Contributors

Author: Lauren B. Towler ORCID iD
Author: Cynthia Graham ORCID iD
Author: Felicity Bishop ORCID iD
Author: Sharron Hinchliff

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