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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Gender differences in sexual behaviors of AD patients and their relationship to spousal caregiver well-being | | Author(s) | Helen D Davies, Sneha B Sridhar, Lori A Newkirk |
| Journal title | Aging & Mental Health, vol 16, no 1-2, January-March 2012 |
| Pages | pp 89-101 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Spouses as carers ; Sexual activity ; Personal relationships ; Older men ; Older women ; Attitude ; Stress ; Well being. |
| Annotation | Little is known about gender differences in sexuality among heterosexual couples in which one partner has Alzheimer's disease (AD). Few studies have examined gender differences in specific sexual behaviours or their associations with caregiver well-being. This study evaluated the impact of gender differences on intimacy and sexual satisfaction in marital relationships in which one partner had AD. Baseline measures were collected from 162 AD patients and their partners enrolled in a multi-site study between 2001 and 2009 to evaluate gender differences in measures of intimacy, caregiver well-being, and patient sexual behaviours. While over 70% of all patients initiated physically intimate activities (i.e., kissing, hugging, and intercourse), most did not initiate intercourse specifically. Female caregivers reported higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than male caregivers. Satisfaction with intimacy was significantly associated with fewer stress and depressive symptoms in female caregivers. Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and caring for a patient with mild AD were significant predictors of caregiver depressive symptoms. The majority of couples dealing with AD reported engaging in intimacy, suggesting its importance in the relationship. Female caregivers who reported less sexual satisfaction reported more frequent stress and depressive symptoms. Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and the AD patient's level of cognitive functioning significantly contributed to caregiver well-being. Gender-specific therapies to address patient sexual difficulties and caregiver well-being could potentially maintain or improve the marital relationship. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-120820006 A |
| Classmark | EA: P6:SN: BIU: DS: BC: BD: DP: QNH: D:F:5HH |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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