Abstract
For those who experience sexual desire, sexuality and sexual expression are a vital part of their emotional well-being at every age. Prevailing discourses have created an ageist mentality against older people maintaining a sexual identity. The research states that older people who identify as sexual continue to desire, long for, and enjoy a variety of sexual activities, despite and sometimes because of increasing physical health concerns. In sex therapy, older clients that examine their dominant discourses and find that they desire a change that is more sex positive can become sexually empowered through a narrative approach. This article includes a review of the current literature and clinical practices which can enhance therapeutic outcomes for older couples and individuals who identify as sexual and desire sexual improvement. A case study example is included as well.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, M., Oye, J., & Parker, T. (2003). Sexuality of older adults and the internet: From sex education to cybersex. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 18(3), 405–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/1468199031000153991
Agronin, M. E. (2014). Chapter 24: Sexuality and Aging. In Principles and Practices of Sex Therapy (5th ed., pp. 525–549). Guilford.
Angus, J., & Reeve, P. (2006). Ageism: A threat to aging well in the 21st century. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 25(2), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464805285745
Atwood, J. D., & Dershowitz, S. (1992). Constructing a sex and marital therapy frame: Ways to help couples deconstruct sexual problems. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 18(3), 196–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926239208403407
Bauer, M., McAuliffe, L., & Nay, R. (2007). Sexuality, health care and the older person: An overview of the literature. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 2(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-3743.2007.00051.x
Beckman, N., Waern, M., Gustafson, D., & Skoog, I. (2008). Secular trends in self reported sexual activity and satisfaction in Swedish 70 year olds: Cross sectional survey of four populations, 1971–2001. BMJ, 337, a279. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a279
Bitzer, J., Platano, G., Tschudin, S., & Alder, J. (2008). Sexual counseling in elderly couples. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(9), 2027–2043. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00926.x
Bouman, W. P., Arcelus, J., & Benbow, S. M. (2006). Nottingham study of sexuality & ageing (NoSSA I). Attitudes regarding sexuality and older people: A review of the literature. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 21(2), 149–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681990600618879
Brandenburg, U., & Bitzer, J. (2009). The challenge of talking about sex: The importance of patient–physician interaction. Maturitas, 63(2), 124–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.03.019
Bretschneider, J. G., & McCoy, N. L. (1988). Sexual interest and behavior in healthy 80- to 102-year-olds. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 17(2), 109–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542662
Cheng, Y., Goodin, A. J., Pahor, M., Manini, T., & Brown, J. D. (2020). Healthcare utilization and physical functioning in older adults in the United States. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(2), 266–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16260
Corona, G., Lee, D. M., Forti, G., O’Connor, D. B., Maggi, M., O’Neill, T. W., Pendleton, N., Bartfai, G., Boonen, S., Casanueva, F. F., Finn, J. D., Giwercman, A., Han, T. S., Huhtaniemi, I. T., Kula, K., Lean, M. E. J., Punab, M., Silman, A. J., Vanderschueren, D., & Wu, F. C. W. (2010). Age-related changes in general and sexual health in middle-aged and older men: Results from the European male ageing study (EMAS). The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 1362–1380. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01601.x
Cowan, T., & LeBlanc, A. (2018). Feelings under dynamic description: The asexual spectrum and new ways of being. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 38(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1037/teo0000076
Defining sexual health. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2021, from https://www.who.int/teams/maternal-newborn-child-adolescent-health-and-ageing/maternal-health/about/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research
DeLamater, J. (2012). Sexual expression in later life: a review and synthesis. The Journal of Sex Research, 49(2–3), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2011.603168
Dominguez, L. J., & Barbagallo, M. (2016). Ageing and sexuality. European Geriatric Medicine, 7(6), 512–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurger.2016.05.013
Forsgren, C., & Altman, D. (2013). Long-term effects of hysterectomy: A focus on the aging patient. Aging and Health, 9(2), 179–187. https://doi.org/10.2217/ahe.13.7
Fredriksen-Goldsen, K. I., Kim, H.-J., Emlet, C. A., Muraco, A., Erosheva, E. A., Hoy-Ellis, C. P., Goldsen, J., & Petry, H. (2011). The aging and health report: Disparities and resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults: (561402013-001). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/e561402013-001
Gagnon, J. H., & Simon, W. (1973). Sexual conduct: The social sources of human sexuality. London: Aldine Publishing Company.
Galinsky, A. M. (2012). Sexual touching and difficulties with sexual arousal and orgasm among U.S. older adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41(4), 875–890. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9873-7
Gewirtz-Meydan, A., Levkovich, I., Mock, M., Gur, U., & Ayalon, L. (2019). Promoting a discussion on later life sexuality: Lessons from sexologist physicians. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 34(2), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2018.1437258
Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., Dodge, B., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2010). Sexual behavior in the united states: Results from a national probability sample of men and women ages 14–94. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(s5), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02012.x
Hertlein, K. M., Weeks, G. R., & Gambescia, N. (2015). Systemic sex therapy. Routledge.
Hille, J. J., Simmons, M. K., & Sanders, S. A. (2020). Sex and the ace spectrum: Definitions of sex, behavioral histories, and future interest for individuals who identify as asexual, graysexual, or demisexual. The Journal of Sex Research, 57(7), 813–823. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1689378
Johnson, B. K. (2004). Sexuality and heart disease: Implications for nursing. Geriatric Nursing, 25(4), 224–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2004.06.022
Kleinplatz, P. J. (2010). In S. B. Levine (Ed.), Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals (pp. 57–72). Taylor & Francis Group
Laumann, E. O., & Waite, L. J. (2008). sexual dysfunction among older adults: Prevalence and risk factors from a nationally representative U.S. probability sample of men and women 57–85 years of age. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(10), 2300–2311. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00974.x
Lee, D. M., Nazroo, J., O’Connor, D. B., Blake, M., & Pendleton, N. (2016). Sexual health and well-being among older men and women in england: findings from the english longitudinal study of ageing. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(1), 133–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0465-1
Lindau, S. T., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E. O., Levinson, W., O’Muircheartaigh, C. A., & Waite, L. J. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(8), 762–774. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa067423
McCabe, M. P., Sharlip, I. D., Lewis, R., Atalla, E., Balon, R., Fisher, A. D., Laumann, E., Lee, S. W., & Segraves, R. T. (2016). Incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women and men: A consensus statement from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine 2015. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 13(2), 144–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2015.12.034
McPhillips, K., Braun, V., & Gavey, N. (2001). Defining (Hetero)sex: How imperative is the “coital imperative”? Women’s Studies International Forum, 24(2), 229–240.
Meston, C. M. (1997). Aging and sexuality. Western Journal of Medicine, 167(4), 285–290.
Morrow, D. F. (2001). Older gays and lesbians: Surviving a generation of hate and violence. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 13(1–2), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1300/J041v13n01_11
Muruthi, B., McCoy, M., Chou, J., & Farnham, A. (2018). Sexual scripts and narrative therapy with older couples. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 46(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2018.1428129
Nicolosi, A., Laumann, E. O., Glasser, D. B., Brock, G., & Gingell, C. (2006). Sexual activity, sexual disorders and associated help-seeking behavior among mature adults in five A. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 32(4), 331–342.
Perelman, M. A. (2014). Delayed ejaculation. In Y. M. Binik & C. S. K. Hall (Eds.), Principles and practices of sex therapy (5th ed., pp. 138–155). California: Guilford.
Rabiee, M., Nasirie, M., & Zafarqandie, N. (2015). Evaluation of factors affecting sexual desire during menopausal transition and post menopause. Women’s Health Bulletin, 2(1), 1–5.
Risen, C. B. (2010). Chapter 1: Listening to sexual stories. In S. B. Levine, C. B. Risen, & S. E. Althof (Eds.), Handbook of clinical sexuality for mental health professionals (pp. 57–72). Taylor & Francis Group. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/byu/detail.action?docID=646548
Shifren, J. L., Monz, B. U., Russo, P. A., Segreti, A., & Johannes, C. B. (2008). Sexual Problems and distress in united states women: Prevalence and correlates. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 112(5), 970–978. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181898cdb
Waite, L. J., Iveniuk, J., Laumann, E. O., & McClintock, M. K. (2017). Sexuality in older couples: Individual and dyadic characteristics. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46, 605–618.
Waite, L. J., Laumann, E. O., Das, A., & Schumm, L. P. (2009). Sexuality: Measures of partnerships, practices, attitudes, and problems in the national social life, health, and aging study. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64B(suppl_1), i56–i66. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp038
Ward, R., & Holland, C. (2011). If i look old, i will be treated old: Hair and later-life image dilemmas. Ageing & Society, 31(2), 288–307. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10000863
Weeks, D. J. (2002). Sex for the mature adult: Health, self-esteem and countering ageist stereotypes. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 17(3), 231–240.
White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends. New York: Norton.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Driscoll, J.J., Hughes, A.A. Sexuality of Aging Adults: A Case Study Using Narrative Therapy. Contemp Fam Ther 44, 373–380 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09589-3
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09589-3