Abstract
Objective
To analyze the perspectives of sexual unwellness (SU) of Portuguese and Slovenian older adults was the objective of this study. A qualitative research was carried out, in which these perceptions were analyzed at a cultural level.
Methods
The sample of this study consisted of 136 older participants, between 65 and 96 years of age. Participants were of two different nationalities and lived in the community. Participants were interviewed, and all interviews were carried out through the process of literal transcription and subsequent content analysis.
Results
Eight key mutually exclusive themes emerged from the interviews: unavailability of partner; traditional values; body restrictions; low self-esteem and well-being; poor social support; dissatisfaction with physical appearance; pain during sex; and difficulties meeting new people. Unavailability of partner was the most important theme (17.9%) for the studied sample and specifically among Portuguese participants. Conversely, difficulties meeting new people were the least reported theme (6.8%) for the entire sample. For Slovenians traditional values were most relevant with respect to feeling sexually unwell.
Conclusions
Older adults from two different countries reported diverse sexual experiences. Eight mutual-exclusive themes were extensively illustrated.
Policy Implications
These findings are evidence for cultural-adapted interventions and policy making in the context of older adults’ sexual well-being, particularly in terms of its relation with aging well.
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Availability of Data and Material
This manuscript has associated data in a data repository.
Code Availability
No software application or custom code was used for the coding process.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to say special thanks to Katarina Babnik for her contribution to the data collection in Slovenia.
Funding
This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under Grant [number SFRH/BPD/116114/2016].
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SVH: study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, recruitment of subjects, preparation of manuscript; JR: preparation of manuscript; JARG: preparation of manuscript; EB: preparation of manuscript; GL: study concept Title page listing all authors and affiliations and design, interpretation of data IL: study concept and design, interpretation of data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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von Humboldt, S., Rolo, J., Ribeiro-Gonçalves, J.A. et al. What Distresses Sexual Well-Being Among Older Adults in Different Cultures? A Qualitative Study with Slovenian and Portuguese Older Adults. Sex Res Soc Policy 20, 377–390 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-022-00765-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-022-00765-0