The Predictors of Physician-Patient Discussions of Sexual Health with Older Adults

The Predictors of Physician-Patient Discussions of Sexual Health with Older Adults by Dana Marie Werner MA, University of Phoenix BA, Gwynedd-Mercy College Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2015 Abstract The number of adults aged 65 years and over has been rising quickly, as has the rate of new onset sexually transmitted diseases within this population. Discussions of sexual health between physicians and older adults are currently lacking in frequency and effectiveness. Using the foundation of stereotype embodiment theory, the purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predict frequency of discussing sexual health with older adult patients. A comparative sample of geriatric physicians and family practitioners completed 2 researcher-developed questions and the Sexual Health Care Scale-Attitude tool that assessed their stereotype beliefs toward discussing sexual health with older adults using the 4 subscales-personal, patient, environmental, and colleague-and the frequency with which they discussed sexual health with their older adult patients. It was hypothesized that non-ageist attitudes would increase the frequency of discussions, and increase the personal factors, such as comfort level, of having such discussions. Multiple regression analysis and the chi-square test were used in data analysis. Frequency of sexual health discussions with older adult patients was dependent upon the physician type, age and gender, and how well the physician believed he or she had been educated to discuss sexual health with older adults. Comparatively, the geriatric physicians had more frequent discussions of sexual health with older adults than the family practitioners. The implications for social change include identifying the need for more specialized physician training in discussing sexual health with older adults to improve overall physical and emotional well-being of older adults and the study’s recommendations for future research.The number of adults aged 65 years and over has been rising quickly, as has the rate of new onset sexually transmitted diseases within this population. Discussions of sexual health between physicians and older adults are currently lacking in frequency and effectiveness. Using the foundation of stereotype embodiment theory, the purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predict frequency of discussing sexual health with older adult patients. A comparative sample of geriatric physicians and family practitioners completed 2 researcher-developed questions and the Sexual Health Care Scale-Attitude tool that assessed their stereotype beliefs toward discussing sexual health with older adults using the 4 subscales-personal, patient, environmental, and colleague-and the frequency with which they discussed sexual health with their older adult patients. It was hypothesized that non-ageist attitudes would increase the frequency of discussions, and increase the personal factors, such as comfort level, of having such discussions. Multiple regression analysis and the chi-square test were used in data analysis. Frequency of sexual health discussions with older adult patients was dependent upon the physician type, age and gender, and how well the physician believed he or she had been educated to discuss sexual health with older adults. Comparatively, the geriatric physicians had more frequent discussions of sexual health with older adults than the family practitioners. The implications for social change include identifying the need for more specialized physician training in discussing sexual health with older adults to improve overall physical and emotional well-being of older adults and the study’s recommendations for future research. The Predictors of Physician-Patient Discussions of Sexual Health with Older Adults by Dana Marie Werner MA, University of Phoenix BA, Gwynedd-Mercy College Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2015 Dedication This paper is dedicated to my loving husband, Michael, for always encouraging me to do more, to give more, and to be more. Thank you for all the crazy nights of listening to my endless statistical chatter and for wiping my tears when I felt weak and afraid. I know it is my name on this, but really it should be yours because without your love and support I could not have done any of this. You are the other half of my soul, my butterfly, and always my Monkey. “Loving you bunches and bunches.forever and ever.always, AMEN. ” I would also like to dedicate this to my Nana and Pop-pop. I hope you both can read this in Heaven. I miss you and I love you always. Finally, I have to dedicate part of this to our Bob. To others you may be “just a cat” but for me you are the best classmate anyone could have. No more “going to school” Bob, mommy is done! Acknowledgments Dr. Rasmussen, once again I have to thank you for all your guidance, support, encouragement, and understanding along this journey and what felt at times to be a never-ending process. You are an amazing chair, mentor, and inspiration. The Eagle has soared, thank you for giving it the wind it needs to fly. Thank you Dr. Napoli, for giving me a new understanding and admiration of statistics and for always telling me like it is. You made the most difficult part for me fun and I truly appreciate that. I got it now! Thank you, Dr. Alm, for getting me started on this journey. I hope Heaven allows you to see me cross the finish line. Thank you, Dr. Piferi, for all your wonderful feedback and guidance during my proposal and final dissertation URR review. Thank you to my parents, (Dad & Sandy, Mom & Bob), for all your love and support along this journey. Thank you to everyone at American Legion Post 308 in Willow Grove PA. You all mean the world to me. “Us and Those Like Us”. Thank you to all my friends, my sisters from other misters, and my brothers from other mothers. Love you all. And thank you to all my “kids” who seem to be growing up too fast. Aunt Dana loves you to the moon and back!