Sexuality
LASA*120
Oct. 2011
contact: Hannie Comijs
Background
Although it is often thought that older persons are not capable or have a lack of interest in sex, many consider sexuality important and wish to remain sexually active as they age (Gott et al. 2003, Jung et al 2004). Sexual activity has been demonstrated to decrease with age in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies (Lindau et al. 2007). However, epidemiologic data about sexual activity in older persons is scarce. In a recent study among men, about 50% consider sex important, and one third report being sexually active. Men's health problems were associated with lack of sexual activity. Risk factors included diabetes, depression, and medication use (Hyde et al. 2010). In LASA, we have during several measurements asked questions about sexuality. Thus far, there are no papers available that have used this variable.
Questions
Questions about sexuality have been asked on baseline of the first and second cohort (B en 2B; 3 questions), during the 4th follow-up measurement of the first cohort (E: 5 questions), and during the 5th follow-up measurement (F: 4 questions). The question are listed below.
In LASAB120/LAS2B120
1. How did you experience your sexual life in the past (as an adult)? [Hoe beleefde u in het verleden uw seksuele leven (als volwassene)?] (bqsex01)
1. Very unpleasant [heel onprettig]
2. Unpleasant [onprettig]
3. Not unpleasant/pleasant [niet onprettig, niet prettig]
4. Pleasant [prettig]
5. Very pleasant [heel prettig]
2. How important is sexuality for you now? [Hoe belangrijk is seksualiteit momenteel voor u?] (bqsex02)
1. Very unimportant [helemaal niet belangrijk ]
2. Unimportant [niet belangrijk]
3. Not unimportant/important [niet belangrijk / onbelangrijk]
4. Important [belangrijk]
5. Very important [erg belangrijk]
3. How do you feel about your sexual life now? [Hoe beleeft u momenteel uw seksuele leven?] (bqsex03)
1. Very unpleasant [heel onprettig]
2. Unpleasant [onprettig]
3. Not unpleasant/pleasant [niet onprettig, niet prettig]
4. Pleasant [prettig]
5. Very pleasant [heel prettig]
6. Not applicable [niet van toepassing]
LASAE120: two additional questions
What is your opinion about the follwing two statements? [Wat is uw mening over de volgende twee uitspraken?]
At this age sexuality is not important anymore. [Op deze leeftijd is seksualiteit niet belangrijk meer.] (eqsex04)
Strongly disagree [helemaal mee oneens]
Disagree [grotendeels mee oneens]
No agreement/agreement [niet mee eens, niet mee oneens]
Agree [grotendeels mee eens]
Strongly agree [helemaal mee eens]
Now that I am getting older, I still need intimacy and being touched. [Ook nu ik ouder word, blijft de behoefte aan aanraking en intimiteit bestaan.] (eqsex05)
1. Strongly disagree [helemaal mee oneens]
2. Disagree [grotendeels mee oneens]
3. No agreement/agreement [niet mee eens, niet mee oneens]
4. Agree [grotendeels mee eens]
5. Strongly agree [helemaal mee eens]
LASAF120
1. How important is sexuality for you now? [Hoe belangrijk is seksualiteit momenteel voor u?] (fqsex02)
1. Very unimportant [helemaal niet belangrijk ]
2. Unimportant [niet belangrijk]
3. Not unimportant/important [niet belangrijk / onbelangrijk]
4. Important [belangrijk]
5. Very important [erg belangrijk]
2. How do you feel about your sexual life now? [Hoe beleeft u momenteel uw seksuele leven?] (fqsex03)
1. Very unpleasant [heel onprettig]
2. Unpleasant [onprettig]
3. Not unpleasant/pleasant [niet onprettig, niet prettig]
4. Pleasant [prettig]
5. Very pleasant [heel prettig]
6. Not applicable [niet van toepassing]
What is your opinion about the follwing two statements? [Wat is uw mening over de volgende twee uitspraken?]
At this age sexuality is not important anymore. [Op deze leeftijd is seksualiteit niet belangrijk meer.] (fqsex04)
1. Strongly disagree [helemaal mee oneens]
2. Disagree [grotendeels mee oneens]
3. No agreement/agreement [niet mee eens, niet mee oneens]
4. Agree [grotendeels mee eens]
5. Strongly agree [helemaal mee eens]
Now that I am getting older, I still need intimacy and being touched. [Ook nu ik ouder word, blijft de behoefte aan aanraking en intimiteit bestaan.] (fqsex05)
1. Strongly disagree [helemaal mee oneens]
2. Disagree [grotendeels mee oneens]
3. No agreement/agreement [niet mee eens, niet mee oneens]
4. Agree [grotendeels mee eens]
5. Strongly agree [helemaal mee eens]
References
Gott M, Hinchliff S. How important is sex in later life? The views of older people. Soc Sci Med. 2003; 56(8):1617-28.
Hyde Z, Flicker L, Hankey GJ, et al. Prevalence of sexual activity and associated factors in men aged 75 to 95 years: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2010 7;153(11):693-702.
Jung A, Schill WB. Male sexuality with advancing age. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004 15;113(2):123-5. Review.
Lindau ST, Schumm LP, Laumann EO, et al. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2007 23;357(8):762-74.