A Systematic Review of Psychological Interventions for Sustaining Intimate Relationships in Older Age

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12801565
AutoresAndreas Vossler (0000-0002-0707-4948, The Open University, autor correspondente), Naomi Moller (0000-0003-2645-8995, The Open University), Diana Teggi (0000-0002-5612-1595, University of Bath), Rebecca L Jones (0000-0001-9284-7425, The Open University)
Ano2025
Data de publicação2025-11-23
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSexuality Research and Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1553-6610 • E-ISSN: 1868-9884
EditoraSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s13178-025-01239-9
OpenAlexW4416551489
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas52

Introduction This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate existing evidence on the effectiveness of psychological and therapeutic interventions for supporting intimacy, including emotional and physical affection, in adults aged 65 and older. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across relevant electronic databases and cross-referencing for studies published up to September 2025. Screening and selection were performed independently by at least two researchers using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ethical approval was not required. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO, and rigorous procedures were employed throughout the search, screening, and data extraction processes. Results From 14,501 screened records, six studies met inclusion criteria. Five of these used a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design to evaluate a range of interventions addressing intimacy in the context of health-related challenges (prostate cancer, epilepsy) and in community-based settings. One study investigated the impact of a sexual well-being promotion programme in the community with a non-randomised longitudinal design. Risk of bias was moderate across most studies, with no selected study rated as low risk. Although the interventions indicated some positive and promising effects, they predominantly targeted a narrow segment of the older adult population, mainly within the context of chronic illness. Conclusions The limited scope of existing studies reveals a significant research gap on intimacy in later life, highlighting the urgent need for specifically tailored, evidence-based interventions that support sexual health and well-being in older adults, and for inclusive approaches that reflect the diverse needs of this growing population. Policy Implications The review points to need for policies around ageing that recognise intimacy and relationship well-being as vital to healthy ageing

Context (archaeology · Data extraction · Inclusion (mineral · Promotion (chess · Psychological intervention · Scope (computer science · Systematic review · Transgender · Elder Abuse and Neglect · Sexual function and dysfunction studies · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology