DOI: 10.5176/2251-2853_PSSIR13.19
Authors: Agber Dimah
Abstract:
Although sex life of older adults contributes significantly to their conjugal life and overall quality of life, much remains to be explored in this area, especially among African-Americans. Exploring intimacy and connubial life of older African-Americans is vital because they are most affected by chronic conditions and health problems (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer, and heart disease) that tend to adversely affect intimacy and sexual activities.
METHODS: 72 community-dwelling respondents (aged 50 to 87) completed a self-administered questionnaire composed of 160 items between November 2003 and January 2004. 18 items were designed to gauge attitudes toward intimacy and sexuality based on a 5-point Likert scale. Mean (SD) differences between men and women were examined using SPSS, version 11.5.
RESULTS: Overall Mean (SD) scores were significantly higher on 6 statements dealing with frequency of sexual activities, sex enhancing medications, presence or absence of sexual intercourse in intimate relationships, romance, nonsexual touching, and attractiveness to the opposite sex. Respondents did not differ in their mean (SD) scores on 12 of the 18 statements. Other interesting findings included the following: 1) male respondents reported that physical appearance is what attracts them most in women. Female respondents reported that personality is one attribute that attracts them most about men; and 2) 67.0{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} of male respondents and 53.3{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} of female respondents reported that they were sexually active.
CONCLUSION: Older African-Americans have positive attitudes toward intimacy and sexuality. Exploring ways of enhancing intimacy and sexuality among older African-Americans is crucial given that they are most affected by chronic conditions that affect sexual health.
Keywords: Aging, Sexuality, Intimacy, Black Sexuality
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