title: Older adults and sexuality: a multidimensional perspective.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the multidimensional nature of sexuality in men and women age 55 and older and compare these men and women on selected dimensions of sexuality. The community-based sample of 161 older adults (men = 69, women = 92) completed a 77-item, anonymous questionnaire. Gender differences were found for selected demographics, health and health-related variables, and selected aspects (sexual interest, participation, and satisfaction) of sexual activities. MANOVA yielded a significant multivariate F indicating men and women differed on the combination of seven dependent variables (self-esteem, intimacy, and sexual knowledge, attitudes, interest, participation, and satisfaction) while univariate Fs did not yield significant gender differences on each of the dependent variables. Study results described a multidimensional view of sexuality and aging which can be used to increase nurses' understanding of selected gender differences of older adults' sexuality.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012723:Sex