Abstract
Objective : In this manuscript we conduct descriptive analysis of epidemiological patterns in older Americans’ experiences with diabetes, comorbid chronic conditions, and sexuality. We use data from the National Social, Health, and Life Project (NSHAP) to explore variations in sexual and social experience among Americans with diabetes in later life. Research Design and Methods : We use descriptive epidemiological methods to explore three research questions. First, how do sexual behavior and interest vary among older adults with and without diabetes? Second, do older adults with diabetes frequently cite health issues as a reason for abstaining from sexual activity? Third, what role might interrelated socio-demographic characteristics play in these patterns? Results : We illuminate consistent differences between people with and without diabetes with respect to sexual behavior, but not with respect to sexual interest. We find that older adults with and without diabetes think about and desire sex frequently. However, we also find that older adults with diabetes report having sex much less frequently than their peers without diabetes do. This difference is especially striking for older adults who have both diabetes and other chronic conditions. Conclusions : We assess these findings in the context of prior clinical, social, and behavioral research on sexuality, aging, and chronicity. We conclude with implications of our findings for further research concerning the intersection of diabetes and sexuality in the lives of older Americans.
Highlights
In recent years, studies exploring the experience of diabetes [1] and later life sexuality [2] have begun to gain prominence in both medical and social science fields
We find that older adults with and without diabetes think about and desire sex frequently
We conclude with implications of our findings for further research concerning the intersection of diabetes and sexuality in the lives of older Americans
Summary
Studies exploring the experience of diabetes [1] and later life sexuality [2] have begun to gain prominence in both medical and social science fields. Large scale European samples reveal life-long relationships between diabetes diagnoses and experience and the development of sexual experience, taste, and desire [6]. While these studies have importantly begun to shed light on relationships between aging, diabetes, and sexualities, we know far less about epidemiological patterns in sexual desire among people with diabetes, and the ways such patterns may play out in the American case. We begin the process of analyzing epidemiological patterns in older Americans’ experiences with diabetes and sexuality.
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