Towler, L.B., Graham, C.A., Bishop, F. et al. (1 more author) (2021) Older adults' embodied experiences of aging and their perceptions of societal stigmas toward sexuality in later life. Social Science & Medicine, 287. 114355. ISSN 0277-9536
Abstract
Rationale
Sexuality is an important part of life for many older adults, and research is beginning to demonstrate the diversity of sexual agency and sexual expression in middle and later life. There is a lack of qualitative research, however, on the lived experiences of older adults concerning this topic.
Objective
The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ embodied experiences and perceptions of aging in relation to sexuality, and whether differences based on gender and/or sexual orientation exist amongst this participant group.
Methods
Thirty-one United Kingdom adults aged 66–92 years (M age 74; 16 women and 15 men) completed in-depth semi-structured interviews; these were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
Three themes were generated. Changing Body; Media and Society; and “I still feel the same inside.” Older adults reported being seen as “past it” and irrelevant, but some saw this as freedom from societal expectations. Health and functional aspects of their bodies were prioritised over aesthetics and “overly glamourous” older celebrities were rejected as appropriate role models. Aging “well” meant resisting decline, but outward appearances did not always align with internal perceptions and experience. Many of our participants had internalised narratives of “successful aging” that centred around retaining youth.
Conclusions
Findings support affirmative aging narratives. Aging as a time of difference without a sense of loss or decline. Implications for how later life is presented in advertising and service provision are discussed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Social Science & Medicine. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Article available under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Body image; Sexual wellbeing; Older adults; Qualitative; Thematic analysis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2021 07:49 |
Last Modified: | 28 Aug 2022 00:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier BV |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114355 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:177574 |