Percorrer por autor "Carvalheira, Ana"
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- A adesão ao duplo padrão sexual em jovens adultos em função do género e da orientação sexualPublication . Almeida, Ricardo; Carvalheira, Ana; Costa, Pedro Alexandre
- Os determinantes da satisfação sexual feminina: um estudo portuguêsPublication . Carvalheira, Ana; Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira. .O estudo da satisfação sexual tem sido dificultado pela pobre conceptualização do conceito. Contudo, vários instrumentos de medida têm sido desenvolvidos. Consideramos que, nalguma medida, o conhecimento da sexualidade feminina tem sido feito a partir de extrapolações da sexualidade masculina. Apresentamos um estudo realizado através da Internet, sobre alguns aspectos da função sexual feminina. O principal objectivo é identificar e analisar os factores mais significativos determinantes da satisfação sexual feminina, na perspectiva das próprias mulheres. O estudo é conduzido através da Internet, dirigido a mulheres com idade superior aos 18 anos, a participação foi voluntária, e usámos o método de snow ball via e-mail para recolha dos dados. O trabalho que aqui apresentamos é relativo a uma análise preliminar dos primeiros resultados, numa amostra de 1148 mulheres portuguesas. O estudo encontra-se ainda a decorrer. Estes primeiros resultados revelam factores interpessoais como o principal determinante da satisfação sexual das mulheres. Em segundo lugar, aparecem factores relacionados com o funcionamento físico/sexual. Este trabalho pode contribuir para uma melhor compreensão dos factores determinantes da satisfação sexual feminina, a partir da perspectiva das próprias mulheres, e não com base nos conhecimentos da sexualidade masculina.
- Perceived changes in sexual interest and distress about discrepant sexual interest during the first phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Assessment in Cohabiting Partnered IndividualsPublication . Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Mehulić, Jasmina; Briken, Peer; Klapilova, Katerina; Graaf, Hanneke de; Carvalheira, Ana; Löfgren-Mårtenson, Charlotta; Nobre, Pedro; Chollier, Marie; Köse, Özlem; Elmerstig, Eva; Lançon, Christophe; Plášilová, Leona; Schröder, JohannaDue to COVID-19 pandemic, different restrictive measures in terms of physical distancing and lockdowns have been introduced in most European countries, affecting all facets of social life. Currently, little is known about how partnered individuals perceive changes in their sexual life during this complex emergency. This study explored retrospectively assessed changes in sexual interest for one’s partner and levels of distress related to perceived sexual interest discrepancy during the first phase of the pandemic in a large-scale online sample of partnered individuals (n = 4813; Mage = 38.5 years, SD = 10.74) recruited between May and July 2020 in seven European Union countries and Turkey. We also examined the possible role of approach/avoidance motives for sex in reported changes in sexual interest and associated distress. Most participants (53%) reported no change in their sexual interest during the pandemic, followed by those who reported an increase (28.5%). The pattern was similar across the eight countries. Distress about discrepant sexual interest, which was only weakly related to changes in sexual interest, was significantly associated with relationship quality and emotional closeness with a partner, coping with and worrying about the pandemic, and specific motivation for sex. In contrast to avoidant and relationship-focused approach motivation, ego-focused approach motivation was related to stable sexual interest during the pandemic. The current study contributes to the understanding of the link between sexual interest and complex emergencies. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the reported experiences and perceptions are prone to change.
- Predictors and correlates of sexual avoidance among partnered older adults among Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and PortugalPublication . Carvalheira, Ana; Graham, Cynthia; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Traen, BenteResearch on sex in later life has been concerned with documenting that older people continue to have sex and establishing the links between good health and sexual activity. Although sexual avoidance is common in clinical and nonclinical populations of older adults, little attention has been given to the motives for sexual avoidance. To address gaps in the literature on sexual avoidance, the present study explored the self-reported reasons for, and correlates of, sexual avoidance in older partnered individuals with probability samples of 60–75-year-olds in four European countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal). Results revealed significant differences between men and women in sexual avoidance, with women reporting more avoidance than men. The main reasons reported for avoiding sex were sexual difficulties, health problems, partner’s sexual difficulties, and lack of sexual interest. Among men, significant predictors of sexual avoidance were age, relationship intimacy (the only relational predictor), physical health, and own and partner’s sexual problems. In women, significant predictors of sexual avoidance were age, relationship duration, relationship satisfaction, relationship intimacy, physical and mental health, and own and partner’s sexual problems. Thus, in men, health-related factors were more important predictors of sexual avoidance than relationship factors. In women, relationship factors were as important as health-related factors. These findings provide insight into an under-researched area. They also have important implications for health care and could inform the development of tailored sexual health interventions in older adults. Keywords Older adults · Sexual avoidance · Relationship intimacy · Relationship
- Seeking help for sexual difficulties: findings from a study with older adults in four European countriesPublication . Hinchliff, Sharron; Carvalheira, Ana; Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Janssen, Erick; Hald, Gert Martin; Træen, BenteSexual well-being is an important part of life for many people aged 60 and older. However, older adults often face barriers to seeking and receiving help for sexual difficulties. This study used data from a probability survey (n = 3820) on sexuality and ageing to examine help-seeking in 60–75-year-olds in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. More men (12.2%) than women (6.8%) had sought professional help for a sexual difficulty in the past 5 years. The main reason for help-seeking was that sex was important to the participant and/or their relationship. The main source of professional help was the primary care physician. Of those who had sought professional help, 48% were satisfied or very satisfied with the help received, 31.6% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 20.4% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Others had sought help from informal sources, particularly partners, friends, or websites. The main reasons for not seeking professional help included not being distressed by the symptoms, and thinking that the difficulty would clear up on its own. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that significant correlates of seeking professional help for women and men were level of distress about the sexual difficulty. With regard to women, those who were married, and/or from Portugal were more likely to have sought help. And regarding men, those who attended religious services were more likely to have sought professional help. These results have important implications for healthcare and can be used to inform the development and delivery of services for older adults who experience sexual difficulties.
- Successful aging, change in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction in couples from four European CountriesPublication . Stulhofer, Aleksandar; Hinchliff, Sharron; Jurin, Tanja; Carvalheira, Ana; Træen, BenteAlthough the importance of sexuality and physical intimacy for well-being of older adults has been recognized, the role of sexuality in successful aging (SA) has been largely neglected. Building on our previous work, here we further validated a three-dimensional model of SA and examined its associations with sexual satisfaction and change in sexual interest among older heterosexual couples (aged 60–75 years). Participants were recruited in a probability-based survey, which was carried out in 2016–2017 in four European countries. Using structural equation modeling of the Actor–Partner Interdependence, we observed significant relationships between SA and sexual satisfaction for both male and female partners across countries. Among women, their retrospectively assessed change in sexual interest over the past 10 years was consistently associated with sexual satisfaction. Partner effects were gender-specific: male partners’ SA was significantly related to their female partners’ change in sexual interest, which in turn was linked to male partners’ sexual satisfaction. The findings point to substantial ties between successful aging and sexuality in older European couples. Taking into account the prevalent stereotypes about old age and sexuality, this study’s findings can assist professionals working with aging couples.
- The Impact of body dissatisfaction on distressing sexual difficulties among men and women: The mediator role of cognitive distractionPublication . Carvalheira, Ana; Godinho, Leonor Figueiredo; Costa, Pedro AlexandreResearch has demonstrated a negative impact of cognitive distraction on sexual activity, and body dissatisfaction has been associated with less satisfying and fewer sexual activities. In the current study we examined the extent to which cognitive distraction, based on body appearance and sexual performance, mediated the impact of body dissatisfaction on sexual difficulties among women and men. A sample of 493 women (Mage = 30.61) and 595 men (Mage = 37.90) completed an online survey. Women reported significantly higher levels of distressing sexual difficulties, significantly more body dissatisfaction, and greater cognitive distraction based on appearance than men. In contrast, men reported higher cognitive distraction based on performance than women. A path analysis model indicated that, for men, only cognitive distraction based on performance mediated the effects of body dissatisfaction on distressing sexual difficulties, and the mediation was only partial as body dissatisfaction had a significant direct effect on distressing sexual difficulties. In contrast, among women, both appearance-based cognitive distraction and performance-based cognitive distraction fully mediated the effects of body dissatisfaction on distressing sexual difficulties.
- The impact of relational factors on sexual satisfaction among heterosexual and homosexual menPublication . Carvalheira, Ana; Costa, Pedro AlexandreThis study analyzed the correlates of sexual satisfaction among exclusively heterosexual and homosexual men. Analyses were carried out using data from a 2011 web survey about male sexual interest in two European countries. A total of 2968 men with exclusive heterosexual behavior and 285 men with exclusive homosexual behavior in the previous five years from Portugal and Croatia, participated in this study. Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed in order to explore which variables predicted sexual satisfaction. Among heterosexuals, in step one, both age and sexual difficulties emerged as highly significant predictors, and in step two, the frequency of intercourse and the number of sexual partners also emerged as significant predictors. Finally, in the third step, the intimacy and the length of the relationship emerged as highly significant predictors of sexual satisfaction. Among homosexuals, in step one, sexual difficulties and country were significant predictors, in step two, only the frequency of sexual intercourse was a significant predictor, and in step three, both relational variables (relationship length and relationship intimacy) were significant predictors. The findings suggest that relational factors, particularly couple intimacy were the strongest predictors of sexual satisfaction for both heterosexual and homosexual men.
- The relevance of the SESII-W/M in establishing a relationship between sexual difficulties and sexual excitation/inhibitionPublication . Paul, Victoria; Carvalheira, AnaAims: The main purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between sexual difficulties and factors of sexual arousal, excitement, and sexual inhibition among men and women. Method: A total of 1,878 participants, of whom 983 were men (52%) and 895 were women (48%), with a mean age of 35.9 years (SD = 11.9; range = 18-79), were recruited online. The study’s instruments included a socio-demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire about sexual difficulties, and the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men (SESII-W/M). Results: Women with and without sexual difficulties differed significantly on all subscales of the SESII-W/M. Men with sexual difficulties scored significantly higher in the dimensions of Inhibitory Cognitions and the Dyadic Elements of the Sexual Interaction than men without difficulties. Inhibitory Cognitions was the strongest predictor of sexual difficulties for both men and women. Relationship Importance was also a strong predictor of sexual difficulties in women. Conclusions: Sexual inhibition serves as a predictor of sexual difficulties. The SESII-W/M seems to work better in determining the factors of sexual inhibition as predictors of sexual difficulties among women, than in identifying causes of sexual difficulties among men.
- The role of body image in sexual satisfaction among partnered older adults: a population-based study in four European countriesPublication . Kvalem, Ingela Lundin; Graham, Cynthia; Hald, Gert Martin; Carvalheira, Ana; Janssen, Erick; Stulhofer, AleksandarBody image issues can affect all domains of sexual functioning. The aim of this study was to examine how, in a sociocultural context where physical and sexual attractiveness is equated with young and slim body ideals, appearance dissatisfaction and importance are related to sexual satisfaction in older adults in four European countries. A cross-sectional survey with probability samples of the population aged 60–75 years was used. Only respondents with a partner were included in this paper, and the countries included Norway (n = 957), Denmark (n = 846), Belgium (n = 612), and Portugal (n = 367). Sexual satisfaction, appearance dissatisfaction, and importance were assessed, and frequency of intercourse/kissing and cuddling, relationship satisfaction, age, and body mass index were all used as control variables. Belgian men scored significantly lower on sexual satisfaction, while there was no difference in sexual satisfaction in women. Appearance dissatisfaction was lower in Scandinavian women and men, and in Belgian men, and appearance salience was lower in Norwegian men and women, and in Portuguese women. Linear regression analysis revealed that, adjusting for confounders, appearance dissatisfaction was significantly related to sexual satisfaction in Scandinavian women and men, as well as in Belgian men. Compared to research on younger adults, appearance evaluation appeared to play an equally important role in sexual satisfaction in older adults in our study. The variation in appearance dissatisfaction in older adults across European countries is a novel finding that needs to be examined further.