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Symposium

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Contextual Factors That Shape Experiences of Sexual Intimacy Among Later-Life Couples

Saturday, November 11, 2023
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Location: Room 303

Sexuality is an important aspect of romantic dyadic relationships. Although people experience physical changes with age that result in changes in sexual interactions, the sexual aspect of couple relationships remain important. Research examining sexuality among later life couples is maturing, allowing investigators to explore more nuanced questions about couple contexts that shape sexual experiences. The current group of papers address some of these important contextual factors that can impact the couple sexual relationship, including sexual motives among same and different sex couples, personality characteristics and how they relate to sexual interactions, how couples’ sexual interactions are affected by transitions such as menopause, and how sleep patterns among caregivers are related to sexual interactions. Presenters in this session draw upon national studies of older adults including NSHAP, MIDUS, and HARP. They used advanced statistical modeling to explore their questions. Findings suggest that self-determined sexual motives among same and different sex couples were associated with better marital quality and lower depression. The menopause transition, along with relationship transitions in later life, were associated with sexual interactions. Conscientiousness and neuroticism were associated with sexual pleasure and emotional satisfaction, along with preferences regarding physical touch within the relationship. Among caregivers, sleep duration was less important; sharing a bed with a care-recipient partner was associated with physical pleasure; and napping was negatively associated with sexual quality. In summary, various factors impact the sexual interactions of older couples in different ways. Findings from these papers given nuanced insight into a number of important contextual factors.

Learning Objectives:

  • After attending this session, participants will be able to describe important contextual factors that affect couple sexual relationships in later life.
  • After attending this session, participants will be able to describe dyadic research methods around couple sexuality.

Presentations:

  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
    Sexual Motives, Marital Quality, and Depressive Symptoms of Mid-Life Same- and Different-Sex Couples

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Hye Won Chai, PhD (she/her/hers) – University of Texas at Austin

  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
    Effects of Menopause and Marital Transitions on Subjective Sexual Self-Efficacy Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Melissa M. Ferguson, MS (she/her/hers) – Utah State University

  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
    Dyadic Effects of Personality and Sexual Behavior in Older Adulthood

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: William J. Chopik, PhD (he/him/his) – Michigan State University

  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
    Sleep and Sexuality Among Caregivers and Their Partners

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Christine M. Proulx, PhD, FGSA (she/her/hers) – University of Vermont