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Sexual Interest Up
Sexual Health Important to Overall Well Being of
Older Adults: AARP Survey
May 24, 2005 - Sexual health is an essential
element of the quality of life of middle aged and older adults (45+).
AARP's recent study, Sexuality at Midlife and Beyond, updates an AARP
survey from 1999, and confirms that relationships and sexuality remain
at least as important, if not more so, than almost six years ago.
The 2004 study focuses on almost 1,700 adults ages
45 and older and measures attitudes and other factors affecting their
health, sexuality, and quality of life. It offers frank viewpoints and
revelations of three-quarters of the 78 million Baby Boomers -- women
and men ages 45-59 -- as well as individuals in their 60s, 70s, and
older.
What has changed since the 1999 study? For starters
there is more use of sex-enhancing drugs and greater openness to
speaking to health professionals about this sensitive health topic.
* More people now report consulting health
professionals than any other single source of information (37% up from 26%
in 1999). Books were the top choice in 1999 and now place second at
30%.
* More than twice as many men as in 1999 report
ever using some type of drugs or treatments to address problems with
sexual performance (22 percent, up from 10% in 1999).
* More respondents now agree that sexual
activity is a critical part of a good relationship -- 60 percent compared to 55
percent in 1999.
"If I could highlight one significant change from
over the past five years, it would be the greater willingness of midlife
and older adults to discuss sex as a health issue with their health
professionals," said Linda Fisher, research director at AARP.
Professionals have long known that sexual dysfunction is not only a
major problem for relationships and mental health, but can be a marker
of life-threatening physical health issues, especially heart disease.
"We also know that healthy and physically active
respondents are generally more satisfied with their sex lives than those
with a medical condition. Thirty-one percent of men said better health
for themselves would increase their satisfaction with their sex life and
23% said better health for their partner would increase their
satisfaction," she said.
And speaking of partners, there has been a
"re-awakening" for many women. Thanks to their male partners' use of
drugs women in all age groups reported that their own sexual
satisfaction was enhanced. "We found that women are pleased with their
mates' newfound ardor, debunking the cultural stereotype that older
women aren't welcoming of intimate and sexual relationships," said Hugh
Delehanty editor in chief of AARP The Magazine.
However, despite many respondents' progressive
feelings about sex, most remained steadfastly traditional when it came
to fidelity. More than 95% of all respondents said that they did not
approve of any form of extramarital sex without a partner's consent.
They also agree with their Mom and Dad that today's
popular culture puts too much emphasis on sex.
"Although many boomers came of age during the
sexual revolution, we shouldn't necessarily see a contradiction in their
attitudes toward fidelity," said Delehanty. "Boomers are open about sex,
but, it is important to remember that this survey also found many saying
that good spirits, good health, close ties with friends and family and
spiritual well-being were more important to their quality of lives than
sex. And marital infidelity often undermines all of these things," he
said.
Other notable findings:
* Sixty-three percent of men and women with
partners described themselves
as either "extremely satisfied" or "somewhat
satisfied" with their sex
lives.
* Nearly one third of men and women with
partners ranked their sex life
somewhere between "yawn" and "bloody awful."
* Still, mediocre sex was better than none at
all. Almost 40 percent of
men without regular sex partners and 15
percent of women without
regular sex partners rated their sex lives at
the bottom of the
satisfaction scale.
Findings from the study are being explored in the
July/August issue of AARP The Magazine --
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/
In addition to the landmark study and supporting
articles in the magazine, AARP The Magazine relationship advice
columnist Sallie Foley has written Sex & Love for Grownups: A
No-Nonsense Guide to a Life of Passion. The book is based on the
thousands of letters that the magazine receives from readers looking for
advice in their love lives. Excerpts from the book can be found on
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/ along with column archives, a personal
ad maker, forums, and audio and video clips from long-married couples.
AARP commissioned TNS NFO from March-April 2004 to
conduct a survey of adults 45+ to understand the factors affecting
sexuality and the quality of life of mid-life and older adults. The
survey was conducted by a combination of telephone and mail
methodologies. The total number of respondents nationwide was 1,682 from
the general population sample and 1,248 from the augment samples.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control
in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a
whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin,
our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in
Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+
educators; and our website,
http://www.aarp.org/ . AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that
provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need
with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have
staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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