Despite being a crucial component of overall well-being and quality of life, sexuality in later life often receives less attention in both academic research and clinical practice settings. However, older adults exhibit substantial variability in their sexual activity and sexual quality. Understanding these variations is essential to address the diverse needs of this population as sexual experiences contribute to emotional intimacy, physical health, and mental health, making them an essential part of the aging process. We analyze data from the third round of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) (2015/16) to study 3497 partnered adults aged 50 and older. Using cross-tabulation and regression analysis, we examine differences in sexual activity, sexual frequency, and sexual quality across age, gender, education, and race. Results indicate that the oldest age group (aged 75 and older) was least likely to be sexually active and reported lower sexual quality. Men reported having sex more frequently than women, and they also derived greater physical and emotional enjoyment from it. Older adults with a high school degree or some college or more reported a higher frequency of sexual activity and greater sexual quality compared to those with less education. Finally, non-Hispanic White older adults were less likely to be sexually active and reported lower sexual frequency compared to non-White older adults, but White adults reported higher levels of sexual quality compared to their non-White counterparts. Overall, these results offer valuable insights into the factors that shape sexual well-being in later life.

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Sexuality Among Older Adults

  • Shannon Shen,
  • Hui Liu,
  • Ruoqi Zheng

摘要

Despite being a crucial component of overall well-being and quality of life, sexuality in later life often receives less attention in both academic research and clinical practice settings. However, older adults exhibit substantial variability in their sexual activity and sexual quality. Understanding these variations is essential to address the diverse needs of this population as sexual experiences contribute to emotional intimacy, physical health, and mental health, making them an essential part of the aging process. We analyze data from the third round of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) (2015/16) to study 3497 partnered adults aged 50 and older. Using cross-tabulation and regression analysis, we examine differences in sexual activity, sexual frequency, and sexual quality across age, gender, education, and race. Results indicate that the oldest age group (aged 75 and older) was least likely to be sexually active and reported lower sexual quality. Men reported having sex more frequently than women, and they also derived greater physical and emotional enjoyment from it. Older adults with a high school degree or some college or more reported a higher frequency of sexual activity and greater sexual quality compared to those with less education. Finally, non-Hispanic White older adults were less likely to be sexually active and reported lower sexual frequency compared to non-White older adults, but White adults reported higher levels of sexual quality compared to their non-White counterparts. Overall, these results offer valuable insights into the factors that shape sexual well-being in later life.