The DOI matches its Crossref record; 85 of the 85 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Sexual Aging: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research on the Sexuality and Sexual Health of Older Adults
Abstract
Negative stereotypes regarding the sex lives of older adults persist, despite sexuality being an important factor that influences the quality of life. We conducted a systematic review of the qualitative literature on the sexuality and sexual health of older adults to address which topics have been researched and the quality of research within this field. We searched PsycINFO, SocINDEX, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for qualitative articles investigating the sexuality of adults aged 60+ years. We analyzed 69 articles using thematic analysis to synthesize their findings. We identified two overarching thematic categories: psychological and relational aspects of sexuality (personal meanings and understandings of sex, couplehood aspects, and sociocultural aspects) and health and sexuality (effects of illness and/or treatment on sexuality, and help-seeking behaviors). Research is needed into male sexual desire and pleasure, culture-specific and sexual/gender identities and their effect on outcomes such as help-seeking behavior and sexual satisfaction, and sexual risk-taking in older adults.
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In the citing paper
“Several men experience their health care providers as not approachable enough to talk about sexual issues.83”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
In the citing paper
“Age should be taken into account when proposing a treatment because lack of motivation may interfere with treatment adherence or may cause men to decide not to pursue any treatment at all.83,95”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
In the citing paper
“Older men, on the other hand, are more likely to accept their ED as a normal part of aging, which might be a barrier to seeking help.”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
In the citing paper
“Although men typically report less distress about changes in their sexual life as they grow older, stigma around sexuality in later life may confuse them about the impact of the sexual problem on their well-being.83,117,118”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
Citations
Cites
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How important is sex in later life? The views of older people
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Sexual Expression in Later Life: A Review and Synthesis
DeLamater, J. (2012) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2011.603168 · Cited by 418
Gott, M. (2003) · Family Practice · doi:10.1093/fampra/cmg612 · Cited by 274
Seeking Medical Help for Sexual Concerns in Mid- and Later Life: A Review of the Literature
Hinchliff, S., & Gott, M. (2011) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.548610 · Cited by 195
Community Science, Philosophy of Science, and the Practice of Research
Tebes, J. K. (2005) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1007/s10464-005-3399-x · Cited by 151
‘Sex for life’? Men's counter‐stories on ‘erectile dysfunction’, male sexuality and ageing
Potts, A., Grace, V. M., Vares, T., & Gavey, N. (2006) · Sociology of Health & Illness · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9566.2006.00494.x · Cited by 141
Challenging Social Myths and Stereotypes of Women and Aging: Heterosexual Women Talk About Sex
Hinchliff, S., & Gott, M. (2008) · Journal of Women & Aging · doi:10.1300/j074v20n01_06 · Cited by 139
Beyond the qualitative paradigm: A framework for introducing diversity within qualitative psychology
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(2004) · ResearchSpace (University of Auckland) · Cited by 134
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- 10.1371/journal.pmed1000097 · DOI
- Oppenheimer C., 2002, Psychiatry in the elderly, 837
- Syme M., 2014, Journal of the American Society on Aging, 38, 35
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Srinivasan, S., Glover, J. A., Tampi, R. R., Tampi, D. J., & Sewell, D. D. (2019) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-019-1090-4 · Cited by 99
Dewitte, M., Bettocchi, C., Carvalho, J., Corona, G., Flink, I., Limoncin, E., Pascoal, P., Reisman, Y., & Van Lankveld, J. (2021) · Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100434 · Cited by 97
“Sex Med 2021;9:100434 sexual issues.(83) Furthermore, feelings of shame and embarrassment may prevent men from broaching the topic, with research showing that less than 50% of men talk about ED with their doctor.”
BackgroundSmith, M. L., Bergeron, C. D., Goltz, H. H., Coffey, T., & Boolani, A. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17072462 · Cited by 73
Factors Conditioning Sexual Behavior in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies
Ricoy-Cano, A. J., Obrero‐Gaitán, E., Caravaca-Sánchez, F., & Robles, Y. D. L. F. (2020) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm9061716 · Cited by 77
Schaller, S., Traeen, B., & Kvalem, I. L. (2020) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2020.1745348 · Cited by 48
Metadata
- Authors
- Sinković, M., & Towler, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Zagreb (HR)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Sinković, Matija
- ORCID
- Towler, Lauren
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2018-12-25
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1239-1254
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2906434656
- Cited by
- 187
- References
- 85
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 1.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd (250637)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- older adults, sexuality, sexual health, couplehood, help-seeking, male sexual desire, sexual pleasure, gender identity, sexual risk behavior, sexual satisfaction, age stereotypes
- MeSH terms
- Sexual Health, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cultural Characteristics, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Quality of Life, Sexual Behavior, Socioeconomic Factors, Sexuality, Qualitative Research
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