The impact of experiences of ageism on sexual activity and interest in later life

Bibliographic Data

ID11201413
AuthorsWendy Heywood (0000-0003-2106-8760, La Trobe University, corresponding author), Minichiello (0000-0002-4613-881X, Queensland University of Technology), Victor Minichiello, Anthony Lyons (0000-0001-9569-6909, La Trobe University), Bianca Fileborn (0000-0002-2650-3592, UNSW Sydney), Rafat Hussain (0000-0002-2900-4457, Australian National University), Sharron Hinchliff (0000-0002-6180-1165, University of Sheffield), Sue Malta (0000-0001-7010-9130, The University of Melbourne), Catherine Barrett (0000-0002-2692-4194), Briony Dow (0000-0002-4186-314X, The University of Melbourne)
Year2019
Volume39
Issue4
Pages795-814
Publication date2019-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x17001222
OpenAlexW2755296953
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited56

Experiences of ageism are associated with poorer health outcomes. Sexual activity and interest are areas in life where the impact of ageism may also be evident as popular culture often depicts the older body as asexual, undesirable or sexually impotent. We explore the possible links between experiences of ageism and sexual activity/interest in later life using data from a study of Australians aged 60+. We explored characteristics of those who were more likely to have experienced ageism (measured using the Ageism Survey) and the relationships between experiences of ageism and measures of sexual interest/activity in later life (N = 1,817). Experiences of ageism were greater among those without a partner, unemployed participants, those with lower incomes and poorer self-rated health. Adjusting for these differences, experiences of ageism were more likely to be reported by those who had not had sex in the past two years and were not sure about their hopes/plans for sex in the future. Those who reported their sexual interest had increased or decreased since 60 also reported greater levels of ageism experience, as did those who wanted to have sex more frequently in the future. Ageism appears to impact sexual activity and interest in different ways. It is critical that social policy aims to reverse attitudes that reinforce the view of the ageist asexual and unattractive older body or person

Human sexuality · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · Gender Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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