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- What distresses sexual well-being among older adults in different cultures? A qualitative study with Slovenian and Portuguese older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Rolo, J.; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Benko, Ester; Low, Gail; Leal, IsabelObjective To analyze the perspectives of sexual unwellness (SU) of Portuguese and Slovenian older adults was the objective of this study. A qualitative research was carried out, in which these perceptions were analyzed at a cultural level. Methods The sample of this study consisted of 136 older participants, between 65 and 96 years of age. Participants were of two different nationalities and lived in the community. Participants were interviewed, and all interviews were carried out through the process of literal transcription and subsequent content analysis. Results Eight key mutually exclusive themes emerged from the interviews: unavailability of partner; traditional values; body restrictions; low self-esteem and well-being; poor social support; dissatisfaction with physical appearance; pain during sex; and difficulties meeting new people. Unavailability of partner was the most important theme (17.9%) for the studied sample and specifically among Portuguese participants. Conversely, difficulties meeting new people were the least reported theme (6.8%) for the entire sample. For Slovenians traditional values were most relevant with respect to feeling sexually unwell. Conclusions Older adults from two different countries reported diverse sexual experiences. Eight mutual-exclusive themes were extensively illustrated. Policy Implications These findings are evidence for cultural-adapted interventions and policy making in the context of older adults’ sexual well-being, particularly in terms of its relation with aging well.
- Sexual well-being in older adults: A qualitative study with older adults from Portugal and SloveniaPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ribeiro-Gonçalves, José Alberto; Costa, Andrea; Low, Gail; Benko, Ester; Leal, I.Introduction Beyond living longer, it is increasingly important to live with more and better health during aging; sexual well-being was found to contribute to health and well-being in old age and is highly under-researched in the older population. This study aims to analyze sexual well-being in a cross-cultural way through older Portuguese and Slovenian older samples. Methods We interviewed 136 older participants with an average age of 71.6 years old. Participants were Portuguese and Slovenian and lived in the community. Participants were subjected to semi-structured interviews and these were subjected to a content analysis process. Results The content analysis indicated nine themes related to sexual well-being: self-reported good health; demonstrations of love; non-sexual joint activities; overall well-being and quality of life; partner support; positive self-image; being independent and active; sexual compatibility; and masturbation. Conclusions Portuguese older adults experience their sexual well-being associated mainly with self-reported good health and demonstrations of love, while Slovenians older adults associate their sexual well-being mainly with non-sexual joint activities and overall well-being and quality of life. Policy Implications The themes found in this study are fundamental evidence for cultural interventions and guidelines outlining in the context of sexual health in aging, mainly due to the scarcity of knowledge of sexual well-being among older adults.