title: Lebanese women and sexuality: A qualitative inquiry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the meanings middle-aged Lebanese women attribute to sexuality and sexual life and how these constructs are shaped socially, culturally, and politically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a qualitative design, data generation comprised semistructured individual interviews (n = 18) and one focus group (n = 5) with Lebanese women aged 40-55 years. Framework analysis was used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inductive analysis identified four themes: Sexuality as imposed by sociocultural and gender norms; sexuality as a symbol of youthful femininity; sexual life as a fundamental human need; and sexual life as a marital unifier and family stabiliser. Findings show that women's sexual self is largely defined based on men's needs. Women sacrifice themselves to maintain family cohesiveness, which they regard as the core of society. However, some women challenged social norms and therefore bringing new meanings to their sexuality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study offers new contextual information about the understanding of sexuality of middle-aged women within a Lebanese context, where the topic is not openly discussed. New insights are important to provide women with professional support that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, St. George Health Complex, Youssef Sursok St., P.O. Box 166378, Ashrafieh, Beirut 1100-2807, Lebanon. Electronic address: mathilde.azar@balamand.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.affiliation: Social Dimensions of Health Institute (SDHI), Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, City Campus, 11 Airlie Place, Dundee DD1 4HJ, UK.
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kroll
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Population Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradbury-Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003469:Culture; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D057227:Femininity; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D063507:Sexism; D019529:Sexuality; D066262:Social Norms; D014930:Women
keywords: Middle-East; Middle-aged women; Qualitative research; Sexual life; Sexuality