Silencing the sexual self and relational and individual well-being in later life: a gendered analysis of North versus South of Europe

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Bente Traeen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7335-9917
• Author: Thomas Hansen
• Author: Aleksandar Štulhofer https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5138-3644
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of Sociology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Sociology; Specific Sociologies

Abstract (english)

This study explores the European North-South differences in older partnered individuals’ silencing of the sexual self and its links to relational and individual well-being. A web survey was conducted among partnered individuals aged 65 years or above in Norway and Croatia. There were 368 (women: 37.8%, response rate: 22%) and 359 (women: 34.5%, response rate: 27%) individuals who participated in Norway and Croatia, respectively. A range of relational (sexual satisfaction, relationship quality) and individual well-being (anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction) indicators was considered. Sexual self-silencing had significant impacts across outcomes, gender, and countries. Furthermore, contrary to what might be expected, we observed no differences in self-silencing between the two countries; and in both countries, men were more self-silenced than women. Findings suggest that sexual self-silencing can compromise relationship quality and psychological well-being in later life. Health and clinical practice toward older individuals and couples should thus probe about and aim to improve the expression of sexual desires and needs.

• Keywords (english): Older adults; silencing the sexual self; cross-cultural assessment; quality of life; successful aging
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Sexual and Relationship Therapy
• Numbering: vol. -, 1883579
• p-ISSN: 1468-1994
• e-ISSN: 1468-1749
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1883579
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:060652
• Online first: 2021-02-11
• Project: Number: 250637; Title (english): Healthy sexual aging: A mixed-method study of sexual function and sexual well-being in older European adults; Acronym: Healthy sexual aging; Leader: Bente Træen; Jurisdiction: Norway; Funding stream: FRIHUMSAM, FRISAM2
• Document URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681994.2021.1883579
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access; Embargo expiration date: 2022-02-11
• Public note: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Sexual and Relationship Therapy on 2021-02-11, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1883579.
• Created on: 2021-11-26 15:35:27