title: Exploring the Sexuality of African American Older Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify sexually-related themes of the sexuality of older African American women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge, between July 2009 and June 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 13 African American older women (57 to 82 years of age), 11 of whom self-identified as heterosexual, one as bisexual, and one as lesbian. We used a semi-structured interview protocol through which we explored some aspects of the respondents' sexuality (assessed at a superficial level, to be as tactful as possible). Moreover, we collected information on demographics and self-rated physical health. Two co-authors served as coders, and used content analysis to identify the most salient sexuality themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Emerging themes were (in order from most to least endorsed): having sexual desire (often unfulfilled); engaging in less sexual activity in older age; experiencing changes in one's sexual life as a function of absence of a spouse; and exercising control over how one's sexual life is conducted. Motivated by the paucity of our sexuality data, we have also provided suggestions to scholars interested in conducting more in-depth further research on this topic with older African American women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that the common notion that older women are asexual is a myth, while lack of a suitable sexual partner is a problem reported by many African American older women who would otherwise enjoy sexual interaction.
authors: Department of Psychology, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8255, USA.
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Laganá
authors: Department of Pan African Studies, California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8255, USA.
authors: Theresa
authors: T
authors: White
authors: Antioch University Los Angeles, 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230, USA.
authors: Daniel E
authors: DE
authors: Bruzzone
authors: Antioch University Los Angeles, 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230, USA.
authors: Cristine E
authors: CE
authors: Bruzzone
keywords: African American; methodological limitations; older women; sexual desire; sexuality
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