A cross-national study of subjective sexual well-being among older women and men: findings from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors.
Subjective sexual well-being refers to the cognitive and emotional evaluation of an individual's sexuality. This study examined subjective sexual well-being, explored its various aspects, examined predictors across different cultures, and investigated its possible associations with overall happiness and selected correlates, including sexual dysfunction. Data were drawn from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors, a survey of 27,500 men and women aged 40-80 years in 29 countries. The cross-national variation of four aspects of sexual well-being (the emotional and physical satisfaction of sexual relationships, satisfaction with sexual health or function, and the importance of sex in one's life) was explored using cluster analysis, and relationships among sexual well-being, general happiness, and various correlates were examined using ordinary least squares regression and ordered logistic regression. Results from the cluster analysis identified three clusters: a gender-equal regime and two male-centered regimes. Despite this cultural variation, the predictors of subjective sexual well-being were found to be largely consistent across world regions.
Laumann
Edward O
EO
Department of Sociology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. e-laumann@uchicago.edu
Paik
Anthony
A
Glasser
Dale B
DB
Kang
Jeong-Han
JH
Wang
Tianfu
T
Levinson
Bernard
B
Moreira
Edson D
ED
Nicolosi
Alfredo
A
Gingell
Clive
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires