International Journal of Health Sciences

Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction and Self-Esteem among Active Older Adults
Tina M. Penhollow, Mike Hall, Michael Young

Objectives
The purpose of the study was to identify the biological, sociocultural, and psychological factors that are predictors of sexual satisfaction and self-esteem among a population of retired adults. Methods: Participants were retired adults over 55 (N=237), randomly selected from a listing of residents of the largest active retirement community in the United States. Participants completed and returned a self-report questionnaire sent to them via U.S. mail. Data were analyzed using a number of statistical tests including Person correlations, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple regression. Results: Results from the multiple regression analysis, using the entire sample, indicated a set of predictor variable explained 56% of the variation in sexual satisfaction (p<.001). Individual predictor variables that were statistically significant were: number of health issues (p=.04) and sexual behavior (p<.001). When self-esteem was used as the dependent variable predictor variables explained 7.5% of the variance in self-esteem (p=.001); sexual satisfaction was the only statistically significant predictor (p<.001). Discussion: Our findings add to the existing body of literature on sexual satisfaction and self-esteem. Health professionals should work to develop interventions which provide education and programs to enhance sexual satisfaction and self-esteem among older adults.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v5n4a2