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Sexual difficulties in old age and Person-Centered Therapy: A qualitative study with older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

S. Von Humboldt*
Affiliation:
ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal, William James Research Center, Lisbon, Portugal
J.A. Ribeiro-Gonçalves
Affiliation:
ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal, William James Research Center, Lisbon, Portugal
G. Low
Affiliation:
University of Alberta, Faculty Of Nursing, Edmonton, Canada
I. Leal
Affiliation:
ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal, William James Research Center, Lisbon, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Sexual well-being (SWB) of the older population can be significantly influenced by age (1) and sexual difficulties (2).

Objectives

Through qualitative research, this study focused on sexual themes that affect the SWB addressed by the older people in person-centered therapy.

Methods

Twenty-five older adults, aged between 65 and 82 years and residents on the community participated in this study.

Results

The results revealed eight main themes for these participants: Absence of a partner, family interference, dissatisfaction with the body, cleanliness and body care, problems in sexual function, physical violence, problems in sexual communication and fear of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. The most discussed themes were the absence of a partner, problems with sexual function and dissatisfaction with the body.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of exploring the sexual difficulties that the older population feels in relation to their SWB. 1.von Humboldt S et al. Sexual expression in old age: How older adults from different cultures express sexually? Sex Res Social Policy. 2020;1-15. 2.von Humboldt S et al. Are older adults satisfied with their sexuality? Outcomes from a cross-cultural study. Educ Gerontol. 2020;46:284-293.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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