The Associations between Sexual Intimacy, Body Appreciation, and Geriatric Depression Levels in Married Older Adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between sexual intimacy, body appreciation, and geriatric depression levels of married older adults. We hypothesized that body appreciation and sexual intimacy can change in old age and can impact depression levels. A cross-sectional study of participants 65+ was conducted by self-report surveys (n = 204) in Turkish sample. Negative body appreciation and lower sexual intimacy of the older adults were associated with a higher level of geriatric depression. Biopsychosocial perspective and cognitive-behavioral interventions are recommended to support the mental health of married older adults.

Keywords:

• Married older adults
• sexual intimacy
• body appreciation
• geriatric depression

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose.