442
Views
10
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Sexual Well-Being in Older Women: The Relevance of Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition

& ORCID Icon

References

  • Araujo, A. B., Mohr, B. A., & McKinlay, J. B. (2004). Changes in sexual function in middle-aged and older men: Longitudinal data from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52, 1502–1509. doi:10.1111/j.0002-8614.2004.52413.x
  • Bancroft, J. (1999). Central inhibition of sexual response in the male: A theoretical perspective. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 23, 763–784. doi:10.1016/S01497634(99)00019-6
  • Bancroft, J., Graham, C. A., Janssen, E., & Sanders, S. A. (2009). The dual control model: Current status and future directions. Journal of Sex Research, 46, 121–142. doi:10.1080/00224490902747222
  • Bancroft, J., & Janssen, E. (2000). The dual control model of male sexual response: A theoretical approach to centrally mediated erectile dysfunction. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 24, 571–579. doi:10.1016/S0149-7634(00)00024-5
  • Bancroft, J., & Janssen, E. (2001). Psychogenic erectile dysfunction in the era of pharmacotherapy: A theoretical approach. In J. Mulcahy (Ed.), Male sexual function: A guide to clinical management (pp. 79–89). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.
  • Beckman, N., Waern, M., Östling, S., Sundh, V., & Skoog, I. (2014). Determinants of sexual activity in four birth cohorts of Swedish 70-year-olds examined 1971–2001. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 401–410. doi:10.1111/jsm.12381
  • Bell, S., Reissing, E. D., Henry, L. A., & VanZuylen, H. (2016). Sexual activity after 60: A systematic review of associated factors. Sexual Medicine Reviews. Advance online publication. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2016.03.001
  • Bjorklund, D. F., & Kipp, K. (1996). Parental investment theory and gender differences in the evolution of inhibition mechanisms. Psychological Bulletin, 120, 163–188. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.120.2.163
  • Bloemendaal, L. B. A., & Laan, E. T. M. (2015). The psychometric properties of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) within a Dutch population. Journal of Sex Research, 52, 69–82. doi:10.1080/00224499.2013.826166
  • Bortz, W. M., Wallace, D. H., & Wiley, D. (1999). Sexual function in 1,202 aging males: Differentiating aspects. Journal of Gerontology, 54, M237–M241. doi:10.1093/gerona/54.5.M237
  • Bradford, A., & Meston, C. M. (2006). The impact of anxiety on sexual arousal in women. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1067–1077. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2005.08.006
  • Byers, E. S. (2005). Relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction: A longitudinal study of individuals in long-term relationships. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 113–118. doi:10.1080/00224490509552264
  • Carpenter, D., Janssen, E., Graham, C. A., Vorst, H., & Wicherts, J. (2008). Women’s scores on the Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales (SIS/SES): Gender similarities and differences. Journal of Sex Research, 45, 36–48. doi:10.1080/00224490701808076
  • Carpenter, D., Janssen, E., Graham, C. A., Vorst, H., & Wicherts, J. (2011). The Sexual Inhibition/Sexual Excitation Scales—Short Form (SIS/SES-SF). In T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, W. L. Yarber, & S. L. Davis (Eds.), The handbook of sexuality-related measures (3rd ed., pp. 236–239). New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Chao, J., Lin, Y., Ma, M., Lai, C., Ku, Y., Kuo, W., & Chao, I. C. (2011). Relationship among sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 37, 386–403. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2011.607051
  • DeLamater, J. (2012). Sexual expressions in later life: A review and synthesis. Journal of Sex Research, 49, 125–141. doi:10.1080/00224499.2011.603168
  • DeLamater, J., & Karraker, A. (2009). Sexual functioning in older adults. Current Psychiatry Reports, 11, 6–11. doi:10.1007/s11920-009-0002-4
  • DeLamater, J., & Koepsel, E. (2015). Relationships and sexual expression in later life: A biopsychosocial perspective. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 30, 37–59. doi:10.1080/14681994.2014.939506
  • DeLamater, J., & Moorman, S. M. (2007). Sexual behavior in later life. Journal of Aging and Health, 19, 921–945. doi:10.1177/0898264307308342
  • DeLamater, J., & Sill, M. (2005). Sexual desire in later life. Journal of Sex Research, 42, 138–149. doi:10.1080/00224490509552267
  • Dello Buono, A., Zaghi, P. C., Padoani, W., Scocco, P., Urciuoli, O., Pauro, P., & De Leo, D. (1998). Sexual feelings and sexual life in an Italian sample of 335 elderly 65- to 106-year-olds. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 26, 155–162. doi:10.1016/S0167-4943(98)80023-X
  • Dennerstein, L., Alexander, J. L., & Kotz, K. (2003). The menopause and sexual functioning: A review of the population-based studies. Annual Review of Sex Research, 14, 64–82. doi:10.1080/10532528.2003.10559811
  • Dennerstein, L., & Lehert, P. (2004). Modelling mid-aged women’s sexual functioning: A prospective, population-based study. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 30, 173–183. doi:10.1080/00926230490262375
  • Derogatis, L. R., & Melisaratos, N. (1979). The DSFI: A multidimensional measure of sexual functioning. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 5, 244–281. doi:10.1080/00926237908403732
  • Derogatis, L. R., Rosen, R., Leiblum, S., Burnett, A., & Heiman, J. (2002). The Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS): Initial validation of a standardized assessment of sexually related personal distress in women. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 28, 317–330. doi:10.1080/0092623029000144.8
  • Erber, J. T. (2010). Aging and older adulthood (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Fileborn, B., Thorpe, R., Hawkes, G., Minichiello, V., & Pitts, M. (2015). Sex and the (older) single girl: Experiences of sex and dating in later life. Journal of Aging Studies, 33, 67–75. doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2015.02.002
  • Garfein, A. J., & Herzog, A. R. (1995). Robust aging among the young-old, old-old, and oldest-old. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 50B, SS77–SS87. doi:10.1093/geronb/50B.2.S77
  • Ginsberg, T. B., Pomerantz, S. C., & Kramer-Feeley, V. (2005). Sexuality in older adults: Behaviours and preferences. Age and Ageing, 34, 475–480. doi:10.1093/ageing/afi143
  • Gott, M. (2005). Sexuality, sexual health, and aging. New York, NY: Open University Press.
  • Gott, M., & Hinchliff, S. (2003). How important is sex in later life? The views of older people. Social Science and Medicine, 56, 1617–1628. doi:10.1016/S0277-9536(02)00180-6
  • Graham, C. A., Sanders, S. A., & Milhausen, R. R. (2006). The Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women: Psychometric properties. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 397–409. doi:10.1007/s10508-006-9041-7
  • Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • Heiman, J. R., Long, J. S., Smith, S. N., Fisher, W. A., Sand, M. S., & Rosen, R. C. (2011). Sexual satisfaction and relationship happiness in midlife and older couples in five countries. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 741–753. doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9703-3
  • Hendrick, S. S. (1988). A generic measure of relationship satisfaction. Journal of Marriage and Family, 50, 93–98. doi:10.2307/352430
  • Hendrick, S. S., Dicke, A., & Hendrick, C. (1998). The Relationship Assessment Scale. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 15, 137–142. doi:10.1177/0265407598151009
  • Hertzman, C., Frank, J., & Evans, R. C. (1994). Heterogeneities in health status and the determinants of population health. In R. Evans, M. Barer, & T. Marmor (Eds.), Why are some people healthier than others? (pp. 67–92). New York, NY: Aldine.
  • Hinchliff, S., Gott, M., & Ingelton, C. (2010). Sex, menopause, and social context: A qualitative study with heterosexual women. Journal of Health Psychology, 15, 724–733. doi:10.1177/1359105310368187
  • Howard, J. R., O’Neill, S., & Travers, C. (2006). Factors affecting sexuality in older Australian women: Sexual interest, sexual arousal, relationships, and sexual distress in older Australian women. Climacteric, 9, 355–367. doi:10.1080/13697130600961870
  • Hyde, Z., Flicker, L., Hankey, G. J., Almeida, O. P., McCaul, K. A., Chubb, S. A. P., & Yeap, B. B. (2010). Prevalence of sexual activity in men aged 75 to 95 years: A cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 153, 693–702. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-153-11-201012070-00002
  • Janssen, E., Vorst, H., Finn, P., & Bancroft, J. (2002a). The Sexual Inhibition (SIS) and Sexual Excitation (SES) Scales: I. Measuring sexual inhibition and excitation proneness in men. Journal of Sex Research, 39, 114–126. doi:10.1080/00224490209552130
  • Janssen, E., Vorst, H., Finn, P., & Bancroft, J. (2002b). The Sexual Inhibition (SIS) and Sexual Excitation (SES) Scales: II. Predicting psychophysiological response patterns. Journal of Sex Research, 39, 127–132. doi:10.1080/00224490209552131
  • Jozkowski, K. N., Sanders, S. A., Rhoades, K., Milhausen, R. R., & Graham, C. A. (2016). Examining the psychometric properties of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women (SESII-W) in a sample of lesbian and bisexual women. Journal of Sex Research, 53(7), 836–848. doi:10.1080/00224499.2015.1066743
  • Karraker, A., DeLamater, J., & Schwartz, C. R. (2011). Sexual frequency decline from midlife to later life. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66B, 502–512. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbr058
  • Kirana, P. S., Papaharitou, S., Athanasiadis, L., Nakopoulou, E., Salpiggidis, G., Moysidis, K. … Hatzichristou, D. (2009). A conceptual framework for the evolution of sexual medicine and a model for the development of alternative sexual health services: 10-year experience of the Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6, 2405–2416. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01320.x
  • Kontula, O., & Haavio-Mannila, E. (2009). The impact of aging on human sexual activity and sexual desire. Journal of Sex Research, 46, 46–56. doi:10.1080/00224490802624414
  • Laumann, E. O., Nicolosi, A., Glasser, D. B., Paik, A., Gingell, C., & Moreira, E. (2005). Sexual problems among women and men aged 40–80 y: Prevalence and correlates identified in the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. International Journal of Impotence Research, 17, 39–57. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901250
  • Lindau, S. T., & Gavrilova, N. (2010). Sex, health, and years of sexually active life gained due to good health: Evidence from two U.S. population-based cross-sectional surveys of ageing. British Medical Journal, 340, 1–11. doi:10.1136/bmj.c810
  • Lindau, S. T., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E. O., Levinson, W., O’Muircheartaigh, C. A., & Waite, L. J. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 357, 762–774. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa067423
  • Lonnèe-Hoffmann, R. A. M., Dennerstein, L., Lehert, P., & Szoeke, C. (2014). Follow-up in a population-based cohort of Australian women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11, 2029–2038. doi:10.1111/jsm.12590
  • Lykins, A. D., Janssen, E., Newhouse, S., Heiman, J. R., & Rafaeli, E. (2012). The effects of similarity in sexual excitation, inhibition, and mood on sexual arousal problems and sexual satisfaction in newlywed couples. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9, 1360–1366. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02698.x
  • Lyons, R. A., Perry, H. M., & Littlepage, B. N. C. (1994). Evidence for the validity of the Short-Form 36 Questionnaire (SF-36) in an elderly population. Age and Ageing, 23, 182–184. doi:10.1093/ageing/23.3.182
  • Mansfield, P., Koch, P., & Voda, A. M. (2000). Midlife women’s attributions for their sexual response changes. Health Care for Women International, 21, 543–559. doi:10.1080/07399330050130322
  • Matthias, R. E., Lubben, J. E., Atchison, K. A., & Schweitzer, S. O. (1997). Sexual activity and satisfaction among very old adults: Results from a community-dwelling Medicare population survey. Gerontologist, 37, 6–14. doi:10.1093/geront/37.1.6
  • McCall-Hosenfeld, J. S., Jaramillo, S. A., Legault, C., Freund, K. M., Cochrane, B. B., Manson, J. E., … Bonds, D. (2008). Correlates of sexual satisfaction among sexual active postmenopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative-Observation Study. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23, 2000–2009. doi:10.1007/s11606-008-0820-9
  • McNulty, J. K., Wenner, C. A., & Fisher, C. A. (2016). Longitudinal associations among relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sex in early marriage. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45, 85–97. doi:10.1007%2Fs10508-014-0444-6
  • Milhausen, R. R., Graham, C. A., Sanders, S. A., Yarber, W. L., & Maitland, S. B. (2010). Validation of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 1091–1104. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9554-y
  • Mulligan, T., & Moss, C. R. (1991). Sexuality and aging in male veterans: A cross-sectional study of interest, ability, and activity. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 20, 17–25. doi:10.1007/BF01543004
  • Nicolosi, A., Laumann, E. O., Glasser, D. B., Moreira, E. D., Paik, A., & Gingell, C. (2004). Sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions after age 40: The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Urology, 64, 991–997. doi:10.1016/j.urology.2004.06.055
  • Palacios-Ceña, D., Carrasco-Garrido, P., Hernández-Barrera, V., Alonso-Blanco, C., Jiménez-García, R., & César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C. (2012). Sexual behaviors among older adults in Spain: Results from a population-based national sexual health survey. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9, 121–129. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02511.x
  • Parker, R. (2009). Sexuality, culture, and society: Shifting paradigms in sexuality research. Culture, Health, and Sexuality, 11, 251–266. doi:10.1080/13691050701606941
  • Pinxten, W., & Lievens, J. (2015). An exploratory study of factors associated with sexual inhibition and excitation: Findings from a representative survey in Flanders. Journal of Sex Research, 52, 679–689. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.882880
  • Rheaume, C., & Mitty, E. (2008). Sexuality and intimacy in older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 29, 342–349. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2008.08.004
  • Rose, M. K., & Soares, H. H. (1993). Sexual adaptations of the frail elderly: A realistic approach. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 19, 167–177. doi:10.1300/J083v19n03_12
  • Rosen, R., Brown, C., Heiman, J., Leiblum, S., Meston, C., Shabsigh, R., … D’Agostino, R. (2000). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 191–208. doi:10.1080/009262300278597
  • Sanders, S. A., Graham, C. A., & Milhausen, R. R. (2008). Predicting sexual problems in women: The relevance of sexual excitation and sexual inhibition. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 241–251. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9235-7
  • Santosa, A., Ohman, A., Hogbert, U., Stenlund, H., Hakimi, M., & Ng, N. (2011). Cross-sectional survey of sexual dysfunction and quality of life among older people in Indonesia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8, 1594–1602. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02236.x
  • Štulhofer, A., Buško, V., & Brouillard, P. (2010). Development and bicultural validation of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale. Journal of Sex Research, 47, 257–268. doi:10.1080/00224490903100561
  • Syme, M. L., Klonoff, E. A., Macera, C. A., & Brodine, S. K. (2013). Predicting sexual decline and dissatisfaction among older adults: The role of partnered and individual physical and mental health factors. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 68, 323–332. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbs087
  • Varjonen, M., Santtila, P., Hoglund, M., Jern, P., Johansson, A., Wager, I., … Sandnabba, N. K. (2007). Genetic and environmental effects on sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in men. Journal of Sex Research, 44, 359–369. doi:10.1080/00224490701578653
  • Velten, J., Scholten, S., Graham, C. A., & Margraf, J. (2016a). Psychometric properties of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women in a German sample. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45, 303–314. doi:10.1007/s10508-015-0547-8
  • Velten, J., Scholten, S., Graham, C. A., & Margraf, J. (2016b). Sexual excitation and sexual inhibition as predictors of sexual function in women: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. Advance online publication. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2015.1115792
  • Waite, L. J., Laumann, E. O., Das, A., & Schumm, L. P. (2009). Sexuality: Measures of partnerships, practices, attitudes, and problems in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Study. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Social Sciences, 64, i56–i66. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp038
  • Ware, J. E., & Sherbourne, C. D. (1992). The MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36): I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30, 473–483. doi:10.1097/00005650-199206000-00002
  • Wiegel, M., Meston, C., & Rosen, R. (2005). The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Cross-validation and development of clinical cutoff scores. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 31, 1–20. doi:10.1080/00926230590475206
  • Winters, J., Christoff, K., & Gorzalka, B. B. (2009). Conscious regulation of sexual arousal in men. Journal of Sex Research, 46, 330–343. doi:10.1080/00224490902754103
  • Woloski-Wruble, A. C., Oliel, Y., Leefsma, M., & Hochner-Celnikier, D. (2010). Sexual activities, sexual and life satisfaction, and successful aging in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 2401–2410. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01747.x

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.