Sexual Satisfaction Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Elżbieta W Buczak-Stec; Hans-Helmut König; André Hajek

doi:10.1093/geroni/igad010

Sexual Satisfaction Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Innov Aging. 2023 Jan 31;7(2):igad010. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igad010. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Elżbieta W Buczak-Stec¹, Hans-Helmut König¹, André Hajek¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Sexual satisfaction is an important part of sexual health and overall well-being. A large number of older people continue to be sexually active, and many are satisfied with their sex life. However, little is known about whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation in later life.

Research design and methods: The German Ageing Survey is a nationally representative study of the German population aged 40+. In the third wave (2008), data on both sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, other) and sexual satisfaction (1-very dissatisfied to 5-very satisfied) were collected. Multiple regression analyses with sampling weights were performed (stratified by age: 40-64; 65+).

Results: We included 4,856 individuals in our analysis (mean age 57.6 ± 11.6; 40-85 years, 50.4% were women, 92.3% (n = 4,483) were heterosexual, and 7.7% (n = 373) were sexual minority adults). In sum, 55.9% of heterosexual individuals and 52.3% of sexual minority adults were satisfied or very satisfied with their sex life. Multiple regression analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged (β = 0.07; p = .45) and older adults (β = 0.01; p = .87). Higher sexual satisfaction was associated with lower loneliness scores, partnership satisfaction, importance of sexuality and intimacy, and better health status.

Discussion and implications: Our analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged and older adults. Lower loneliness, better health status, and partnership satisfaction significantly contributed to higher sexual satisfaction. Approximately 45% of older individuals (aged 65 years and older), regardless of their sexual orientation, were still satisfied with their sex life.

Keywords: Health status; LGB; LGBT; Loneliness; Minority stress; Older adults; Partnership satisfaction; Satisfaction; Satisfaction with sex life; Sexual minority adults; Sexual orientation; Sexual satisfaction; Sexuality; Social isolation.