Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States
Women ages 60 and older vary in sexual behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of vaginal intercourse, outercourse, and receipt and performance of oral sex reported among 461 married/partnered women age ≥ 60 years in the United States and factors associated with these four sexual behaviors. Us...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Sexes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/2/4/35 |
| _version_ | 1797500602127745024 |
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| author | Caroline D. Bergeron Heather H. Goltz Ali Boolani Matthew Lee Smith |
| author_facet | Caroline D. Bergeron Heather H. Goltz Ali Boolani Matthew Lee Smith |
| author_sort | Caroline D. Bergeron |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Women ages 60 and older vary in sexual behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of vaginal intercourse, outercourse, and receipt and performance of oral sex reported among 461 married/partnered women age ≥ 60 years in the United States and factors associated with these four sexual behaviors. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, associations between participants’ socio-demographics, health indicators, sexual perceptions, communication, and sexual behaviors were examined. In the past year, 53.6% reported having vaginal intercourse, 56.0% outercourse, and 21.7% receiving and 20.6% performing oral sex. Women with depressive symptomology were less likely to report intercourse and outercourse (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Women endorsing pleasurable sex as necessary to maintain relationships were more likely to report all four behaviors (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Women who communicated openly with partners were more likely to report intercourse (<i>p</i> = 0.002), outercourse (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and performing oral sex (<i>p</i> = 0.025). Findings may inform strategies about positive sex perceptions and strengthening partner communication. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:06:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d56dc7038f9f424eaef4917a6888af04 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2411-5118 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:06:11Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sexes |
| spelling | doaj.art-d56dc7038f9f424eaef4917a6888af042023-11-23T10:32:52ZengMDPI AGSexes2411-51182021-10-012444545110.3390/sexes2040035Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United StatesCaroline D. Bergeron0Heather H. Goltz1Ali Boolani2Matthew Lee Smith3LIFE Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaCollege of Public Service, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, TX 77002, USADepartment of Physical Therapy, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USACenter for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAWomen ages 60 and older vary in sexual behaviors. This study examined the prevalence of vaginal intercourse, outercourse, and receipt and performance of oral sex reported among 461 married/partnered women age ≥ 60 years in the United States and factors associated with these four sexual behaviors. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, associations between participants’ socio-demographics, health indicators, sexual perceptions, communication, and sexual behaviors were examined. In the past year, 53.6% reported having vaginal intercourse, 56.0% outercourse, and 21.7% receiving and 20.6% performing oral sex. Women with depressive symptomology were less likely to report intercourse and outercourse (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Women endorsing pleasurable sex as necessary to maintain relationships were more likely to report all four behaviors (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Women who communicated openly with partners were more likely to report intercourse (<i>p</i> = 0.002), outercourse (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and performing oral sex (<i>p</i> = 0.025). Findings may inform strategies about positive sex perceptions and strengthening partner communication.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/2/4/35sexual healtholder womencommunication |
| spellingShingle | Caroline D. Bergeron Heather H. Goltz Ali Boolani Matthew Lee Smith Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States Sexes sexual health older women communication |
| title | Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States |
| title_full | Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States |
| title_fullStr | Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States |
| title_short | Factors Associated with Four Sexual Behaviors among Married/Partnered Women Ages 60 and Older in the United States |
| title_sort | factors associated with four sexual behaviors among married partnered women ages 60 and older in the united states |
| topic | sexual health older women communication |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/2/4/35 |
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