"What Do You Mean by Sex?" A Qualitative Analysis of Traditional versus Evolved Meanings of Sexual Activity among Older Women and Men

The Gender Gap in Partnered Orgasm: A Scoping Review of Evidence with Graphical Comparisons

This article provides a review and visualization of findings over the last 30 years related to the orgasm gap between men and women in heterosexual encounters. We describe and compare techniques commonly used for measuring orgasm occurrence and frequency patterns, and we summarize the contrast in orgasm rates shown in these studies across different behavior sets and social contexts. Of central importance, women's orgasm rates increase dramatically with the inclusion of behaviors that provide specific stimulation to the clitoris, revealing this gap is largely driven by social dynamics rather than strictly biological mechanisms. Disparities between men and women are especially pronounced in contexts with low levels of partnered sexual experience, partner familiarity, and relationship commitment. Women are also more likely to experience orgasm when masturbating or partnered with women than when partnered with men. Ultimately, we echo calls for a biopsychosocial approach to sexual enjoyment and well-being, and we provide recommendations for future research, including increased precision in measurement and reporting, diversifying sampling concentrations, and assessing life course trajectories.

"I'm telling you my story, not publishing a blog": Considerations and suggestions on data sharing in qualitative health psychology research on sensitive topics

Qualitative research plays a pivotal role in health psychology, offering insights into the intricacies of health-related issues. However, the specificity of qualitative methodology presents challenges in adhering to standard open science principles, including data sharing. The guidelines to address these issues are limited. Drawing from the author's experience in conducting in-depth interviews with middle-aged and older adults regarding their sexuality, this article discusses various challenges in implementing data sharing requirements. It emphasizes factors like participants' reasonable reluctance to share in specific populations, the depth of personal information gleaned from comprehensive interviews, concerns surrounding potential data misuse both within and outside academic circles, and the complex issue of obtaining informed consent. A universal approach to data sharing in qualitative research proves impractical, emphasizing the necessity for adaptable, context-specific guidelines that acknowledge the methodology's nuances. Striking a balance between transparency and ethical responsibility requires tailored strategies and thoughtful consideration.

The Role of Ageist Sexual Stereotypes in the Network of Sexual Difficulties, Sex and Relationship Satisfaction Among Adults Aged 50

As people age, their sexual activity, including sexual and relationship satisfaction, may change due to the onset of health and sexual difficulties and the activation of internalized ageist sexual stereotypes. We studied whether ageist sexual stereotypes were relevant for the importance of sex for people aged 50+ and how sexual and relationship satisfaction are interlinked with health and sexual difficulties when ageist sexual stereotypes are considered. Data for the network analysis were collected from a sample of 897 Czechs and Slovaks aged 50-96 (52% men, mean age = 62.01). Two models were analyzed - with and without the inclusion of ageist sexual stereotypes. The findings indicated that ageist sexual stereotypes play an important role in the sexuality of women and men aged 50 + .The fewer ageist sexual stereotypes people had, the less sexual difficulties they reported and the more they perceived sex as important. The inclusion of stereotypes into the models, however, weakened the negative link between sexual difficulties and the importance of sex for both women and men. These findings show that the effect of ageist sexual stereotypes are likely complex in the sexual lives of people aged 50 +.

Trajectories of intimacy in later-life: a qualitative study of Czech and Polish narratives

Intimacy has been identified as an important component of satisfying sexual activity in later life. While the existing literature reports that the importance of intimacy increases with age, the mechanisms behind this process have not been extensively researched. Even less is known about later-life sexual intimacy among women and men from former communist countries. This study explored the nuances of sex and intimacy by interviewing 50 Polish and Czech women and men aged 60 to 82. Data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. Three main themes were developed to represent the extent to which intimacy was part of participants' lives: 1) lifelong representation of sex as an intimate connection between individuals; 2) later-life shift towards intimacy-oriented sex for two main reasons: health-related necessities and a new relationship context; and 3) no intimacy whatsoever. The study findings indicate that a later-life refocus from an instrumental, penetrative-oriented view of sex towards a wider variety of intimate behaviours may be beneficial, not only for improving quality of sexual life, but also to gain new ways to express emotional connections between the partners.

The Role of Non-penetrative Partnered Sex Activities in the Associations Among Erectile Difficulties, Sex and Relationship Satisfaction in Men Aged 50

Objectives

This study examined the associations among erectile difficulties, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction, and whether there is a buffering effect of non-penetrative partnered sex on relationship satisfaction in men aged 50+ who report erectile difficulties.

Methods

An analysis of survey data from 431 Czech men (aged 50-96, Mdn = 64).

Results

Engagement in non-penetrative partnered sex did not moderate the relationship between erectile difficulties and sexual and relationship satisfaction, but it was linked to higher sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Conclusions

The buffering effect of non-penetrative practices for the link between erectile difficulties and relationship satisfaction has not been supported.

‘Why would I want sex now?’ A qualitative study on older women's affirmative narratives on sexual inactivity in later life

The existing research tries to understand the reasons for discontinuing sex in later life with the assumption that people want to be sexual. Although the growing body of literature informs that sex remains an integral part of older adults’ lives, a substantial number of older adults declare not being sexually active. This study aimed at exploring motives for deliberately choosing sexual inactivity among older women. Semi-structured interviews with 16 Polish women (aged 65–82) were thematically analysed in relation to the sexual scripts theory and the participants’ specific socio-cultural background. Three main themes regarding the reasons for cessation of their sex life were identified: ‘I am glad that sex does not concern me anymore’, ‘I am satisfied with my memories’ and ‘The right one’ or no one. The results indicate that some women give up sex for good, with no regrets or feeling of a loss; for others, it may be a temporary decision, its duration dependent on meeting the right partner. Developing sexual agency may encourage discontinuing their sex life – a choice perceived as optimal and liberating. Personal factors and the memories of marital relationships seem to shape older women's (a)sexual expectations. Acknowledging these nuances may contribute to a better understanding of older women's sexual functioning; implications for consideration in further research and practice are also discussed.

Knowledge of Ghanaian Graduating Undergraduate Nurses About Ageing

Introduction

Knowledge on ageing has an impact on the quality of care provided to older people. Although older Ghanaians provide various forms of support to family and communities, many of them experience poor nursing care in the Ghanaian health system. There is, however, dearth of evidence regarding knowledge of ageing among Ghanaian nurses.

Objective

This study therefore used a descriptive survey approach to investigate knowledge of graduating undergraduate nurses on physiological, and psychosocial changes in ageing.

Methods

Seventy graduating undergraduate nurses were surveyed to identify their knowledge on physiological and psychosocial changes leading to care needs of older people in Ghana. Three undergraduate nursing programs with gerontological nursing courses were purposively selected for the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in order to present quantitative descriptions of variables in this study.

Results

The response rate in the study was 42%. Findings of the study show graduating undergraduate nursing students have inadequate knowledge on ageing. Several gaps in knowledge regarding ageing were identified. Although undergraduate nursing schools had gerontological nursing courses in their programs, over 90% of participating graduating nursing students indicated pain, anxiety and depression are normal aspects in the ageing process.

Conclusion

It is imperative to improve the current curricula content on gerontological nursing in Ghanaian nursing schools to equip nurses with knowledge and skills needed to provide quality healthcare to older people in Ghana. Improving knowledge on ageing through evidence-informed gerontological nursing curricula content will lead to better nursing care of older Ghanaians. Providing educational opportunities for improved quality nursing care of older Ghanaians is in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims at providing equal and quality healthcare to all age groups by 2030.

Associations among Sexual Activity, Relationship Types, and Health in Mid and Later Life

Despite a growing amount of research on sexuality in mid and later life, relatively little is known about the associations among sexual activity, relationship types, and health. This paper analyzes data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for the subpopulation of respondents residing in the Czech Republic (N = 1304, 49% women; M_age = 69.1, SD_age = 8.0). Hierarchical ordinal regression models showed that persons who stayed in newly formed or less traditional relationship types, such as dating, Living-Apart-Together (LAT) relationships, and cohabitation, reported a higher frequency of sexual activity than married people. Overall, the dating and LAT relationship group displayed the highest sexual frequency and the lowest incidence of chronic diseases. People in marriages and cohabitation were comparable with respect to the number of chronic diseases. The findings suggest that sexual activity is intertwined with later-life relationships and sexual frequency may vary according to the relationship type. Future research may benefit from probing the extent to which partnered sex is important for maintaining bonds between older partners with separate households.

"Why not ask the doctor?" Barriers in help-seeking for sexual problems among older adults in Poland

OBJECTIVES

Existing data show that older adults rarely seek medical or psychological help for their sexual problems. The current study explores the barriers in help-seeking faced by older adults from a conservative Central European country.

METHODS

Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted among Polish residents (16 women, 14 men) aged 65-82. The data were analysed thematically, with coding validity and analytical rigour ensured throughout the process.

RESULTS

Three main barriers in seeking help were identified: not recognising sexual problems; fear for the doctors' disapproval; lack of knowledge how to access appropriate services. The data reveal that the participants' main concern is that health providers would dismiss their problems as trivial. Older adults from Poland suffer from the lack of fundamental knowledge about their sexual functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

Employing qualitative methodology to understand why older adults from conservative cultures do not seek help for their sexual problems might contribute to existing literature by providing evidence from different cultural settings, and help to develop and implement appropriate interventions. Implications related to health providers' attitude towards older patients' concerns are further discussed.