title: Modeling mid-aged women's sexual functioning: a prospective, population-based study.
abstract: This article uses a prospectively, annually collected sexuality questionnaire from an 8-year study of 340 mid-aged Melbourne women. We modeled the interactions of sexuality domains, the effect of prior level of sexual functioning, and the effects of change in partner-related factors. We found that we were unable to separate items denoting sexual interest from those denoting responsiveness. Using the statistical technique of auto-correlation, we determined that the most important predictor of female sexual functioning is prior level of sexual functioning. Partner-related factors (change in partner status and feelings for partner) also had significant effects.
authors.affiliation: Office for Gender and Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. ldenn@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dennerstein
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lehert
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D016387:Women's Health