HUMBOLDT, Sofia von; RIBEIRO-GONCALVES, José; COSTA, Andrea    LEAL, Isabel. How do older adults express themselves sexually?: An exploratory study. []. , 21, 1, pp.62-68. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/20psd210110.

Introduction: This study aims to analyze how older adults express themselves sexually. For this purpose, a cross-national qualitative study was performed. Methods: Two hundred and thirteen non-institutionalized elderly, aged 65 to 98 years, from three different nationalities (Brazilian, Portuguese and English) were interviewed. All interviews were transcribed and later subjected to content analysis. Results: Results of the content analysis indicated eight themes: Affection and attention (k = 0.91, p <0.01); altruism (k = 0.81, p <0.01); feeling attractive (k = 94, p <0.01); positive communication (k = 0.89, p <0.01); sexual activity (k = 0.88, p <0.01); good health and physical condition (k = 0.96, p <0.01); supportive relationship (k = 0.84, p <0.01); and eroticism (k = 0.94, p <0.0). Conclusions: This study emphasized different ways of expressing sexuality in old age and stressed the importance of caring and attention, altruism and feeling attractive to older people who are sexually active.

: Content analysis; qualitative study; sexual expression; older adults.

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