John DeLamater

Sexual desire in later life.

There has been relatively little research on sexuality in later life, particularly among persons over 60 years of age. The existing literature consists of studies of small samples, much of it from a biomedical perspective. This literature suggests that age, hormone levels, specific illnesses, and various medications negatively affect sexual functioning in older persons. This study reports results from a survey of a large sample (N = 1,384) of persons age 45 and older that included measures of a variety of biological, psychological and social factors that potentially influence sexual functioning. We report bivariate and multivariate analyses conducted separately for women and men. We find that the principal influences on strength of sexual desire among women are age, the importance of sex to the person, and the presence of a sexual partner. Among men, they are age, the importance of sex to the person, and education. In this sample of the population of older persons, attitudes are more significant influences on sexual desire than biomedical factors.

Essentialism vs. social constructionism in the study of human sexuality

According to classical essentialism, there are underlying true forms or essences, there is discontinuity between different forms rather than continuous variation, and these true forms are constant over time. Modern essentialism consists of a belief that certain phenomena are natural, inevitable, and biologically determined. We consider sociobiology, evolutionary psychology, genetic research, brain research, and endocrine research as examples of essentialist approaches, focusing particularly on how these research approaches treat sexual orientation and sexual attraction. Social constructionism, in contrast, rests on the belief that reality is socially constructed and emphasizes language as an important means by which we interpret experience. We briefly review social constructionist research on sexual orientation and sexual attraction. Finally, we review examples of conjoint or interactionist research, uniting biological and social influences. We conclude that, although there may be theories and research th...

Human sexual development

Empirical research by scholars from several disciplines provides the basis for an outline of the process of sexual development. The process of achieving sexual maturity begins at conception and ends at death. It is influenced by biological maturation/aging, by progression through the socially‐defined stages of childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and later life, and by the persons relationships with others, including family members, intimate partners, and friends. These forces shape the persons gender and sexual identities, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior. Adults display their sexuality in a variety of lifestyles, with heterosexual marriage being the most common. This diversity contributes to the vitality of society. Although changes in sexual functioning in later life are common, sexual interest and desire may continue until death.

Sexual Expression in Later Life: A Review and Synthesis

In the past decade, researchers have begun to study the sexual functioning of typical older persons. This review summarizes literature on the sexuality of men and women over age 50 as researched by social and health scientists. Research on the relationship of biological factors (changes accompanying aging), health (physical, mental, and medication use), psychological factors (attitudes, information about sex), relationship factors (status, satisfaction), and sexual functioning (desire, dysfunctions, treatment) to sexual behavior is reviewed. The review suggests that (a) men and women remain sexually active into their 70s and 80s, (b) aging-related physical changes do not necessarily lead to decline in sexual functioning, and (c) good physical and mental health, positive attitudes toward sex in later life, and access to a healthy partner are associated with continued sexual activity. In turn, regular sexual expression is associated with good physical and mental health. Progress in understanding later life sexuality requires development of comprehensive theoretical models, a broad focus on intimacy, attention to measures and samples, and research on couples. Progress in understanding is especially important, given the aging of populations.

Sexual Behavior in Later Life

Objectives: This research tests the influences of age, biological, and psychosocial factors on sexual expression in later life. Method: The American Association of Retired Persons Modern Maturity Sexuality Survey collected data on diagnosed illnesses, treated illnesses, sexual desire, sexual attitudes, partner circumstances, and sexual behavior from 1,384 persons ages 45 and older. Ordered logistic regression models estimate the associations of age, biological, and psychosocial factors with the frequency of five sexual behaviors. Results: Diagnosed illnesses and treatments are generally unrelated to frequency of sexual activity. Sexual attitudes are related to frequency of partnered behavior and sexual desire is related to frequency of masturbation among both women and men. Satisfaction with the physical relationship with a partner is strongly related to behavior. Age remains significant after all other factors are controlled. Discussion: The authors conclude that the nature of sexual expression in later life reflects the interplay of body, mind, and social context.

Sexual Frequency Decline From Midlife to Later Life

OBJECTIVE To examine sexual frequency decline among American men and women between the ages of 44 and 72 born from 1933 to 1948. METHOD Using data from the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) and the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), the decline in sexual frequency is decomposed into declines due to changes in marital status, physical health, and happiness. We examine the contribution of both changes in the composition of the population with respect to these factors as well as changes in the association between these factors and sexual frequency by age. RESULTS For women, change in the proportion widowed is a significant factor in sexual frequency decline, as is change in the association between happiness and sexual frequency. Among men, both poorer physical health at older ages and a decrease in its association with frequency are significant factors in the decline. A change in the association between happiness and frequency is also a significant factor for men. Reverse causality may explain the happiness-frequency findings for both men and women. DISCUSSION Results provide evidence for gendered experiences in the sexual life course.

On the nature of national involvement: a preliminary study

The core referent of the concept of nationalism appears to be an individual’s emotional attachment to his nation or country which leads him to desire more power for it. The concept thus refers to one form of involvement of an individual in his country’s affairs and to the ideology associated with it. However, it has weaknesses as an adequate concept for two reasons. First, the term is subject to value-laden interpretations, based on the popularly perceived desirability of patriotism on the one hand and the undesirability of chauvinism and jingoism on the other. Second, it is apparent that nationalism is only one aspect of the broader problem of how individuals relate to the nation-state, how they are integrated into it, and how this integration affects their attitudes, values, and behavior.

Sexual Satisfaction in the Seventh Decade of Life

This research presents data on the sexuality of men and women in their mid-sixties. The data are from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study 2003 mail survey; analyses include 2156 men and 1955 women. Respondents reported having sex 1.7 times per month. Regression analyses were used to identify variables associated with sexual behavior and satisfaction. Included were measures of physical health, sexual functioning, psychological distress, and satisfaction with the relationship. Frequency of sexual activity was significantly predicted by reports that partner lost interest in sex. Satisfaction with the sexual relationship was predicted by marital/ relationship satisfaction and frequency of sexual activity. Sexual expression remains a significant aspect of intimate relationships in the seventh decade of life.

Context counts: long-term sequelae of premarital intercourse or abstinence.

An individuals first sexual experience is a highly salient and meaningful event, with potential to shape sexual scripts and the affect associated with sexual expression. Using data from the National Health and Social Life Survey, we tested abstinence‐only advocates’ assertions that premarital sex results in psychological and physical harm such as sexual dysfunction, sex guilt, poor health, sexually transmitted diseases, and poor life satisfaction. The first vaginal intercourse was premarital for 82.9% of the sample. Average age at first intercourse was 17.7 years. Relationship status at first intercourse was not consistently associated with later psychological or physical health outcomes. If the first experience was prepubertal, forced, with a blood relative or stranger, or the result of peer pressure, drugs, or alcohol, poorer psychological and physical health outcomes in adulthood were reported consistently. There is little evidence that premarital sex per se is disastrous for later sexual functioning or sex guilt; insofar as first sexual experiences are related to later functioning, the context of the experience is the crucial element.

The Impact of a Culturally Appropriate STD/AIDS Education Intervention on Black Male Adolescents’ Sexual and Condom Use Behavior

A culturally appropriate, theoretically based videotape was developed to promote condom use among African American males, ages 15 to 19, attending a municipal sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. The video-tape’s impacts were compared to those achieved by an African American health educator who delivered the same messages during a face-to-face session and by standard care. Data were obtained on participants’ (N = 562) condom use knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions; sexual and condom use behaviors; and perceived risk of infection. At posttest, “videotape” and “health educator” participants demonstrated greater condom use knowledge; “health educator” participants indicated greater self-efficacy and stronger condom use intentions with steady partners. At 6 months, participants in all conditions reported more partners and acts of vaginal intercourse (past month); however, they were more likely to report consistent condom use with steady partners (18% vs. 53%) and casual partners (26% vs. 50%). Perceived risk of infection was lower at the posttest and declined during the study period.