THE SEXUAL INTEREST, PARTICIPATION, AND SATISFACTION OF OLDER MEN AND WOMEN.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 257
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was two-fold: to describe the sexual interest, participation, and satisfaction of men and women age 55 and older and to identify the factors which best predict these aspects of sexual activities.

A convenience cross sectional sample of 92 women and 69 men was used for this correlational-comparative study. The volunteer sample completed a 77-item questionnaire which was returned anonymously by mail.

The questionnaire contained 14 demographic items, Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale, Weiss' Intimacy Tool, Alford's Knowledge Regarding Sexuality and Aging Tool, Alford's Attitudes Towards Sexuality in the Aged Tool, and Johnson's Sexual Activities Tool: Interest, Participation, and Satisfaction.

The full minus reduced model of multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of sexual interest, participation, and satisfaction. The best prediction equation for sexual interest included the variables of married male, married female, divorced male, widowed male, living alone, female sexual attitudes, present to past comparison of male sexual interest, and female life satisfaction. The best prediction equation for sexual participation included the variables of married male, married female, divorced male, widowed female, female use of anti-coagulants, living alone, living with spouse, female sexual knowledge, male/female sexual attitudes, male intimacy, male present to past comparison of sexual participation. The best prediction equation for sexual satisfaction included the variables of married male, married female, divorced male, widowed male, living alone, female sexual knowledge, female sexual attitudes, male intimacy, male present to past comparison of sexual interest, and female past to present comparison of sexual satisfaction.

Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyze gender differences on seven major variables. MANOVA was significant at p < .05 for overall gender differences on the variables of self esteem, intimacy, and sexual knowledge, attitudes, interest, participation, and satisfaction, but analysis of univariate Fs did not identify specific differences.

Conclusions of the study were that men and women aged 55 and older were sexually interested, active, and satisfied. Recommendations were made for nursing practice, education, and research.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-12, Section: B, page: 4824.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1986.

School code: 0227.