Yun Okjong, Kim Miyoung, Chung Seung Eun
1International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan.
Qual Health Res. 2014 Apr;24(4):474-83. doi: 10.1177/1049732313518978. Epub 2014 Jan 9.
Sexuality plays an important role in elders' lives. However, few studies exist concerning the essential meaning crucial for the overall understanding of sexuality in later life. In this study we explored the experience of what sexuality implied and meant to older widows using the descriptive phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling yielded 10 elderly women who were in sexual relationships. We collected data through in-depth interviews with participants and conducted a thematic analysis. The findings were classified into eight themes: trying to find another side of herself, starting a romantic relationship, invigorating life, displaying femininity, being concerned about the perceptions of others, enjoying sexual freedom, feeling the limit of sexual intimacy, and facing up to reality. The sexual lives of older widows entailed a process of recovering their femininity, self-achievement, and self-esteem, which helped them to live independent lives by developing more active and flexible attitudes.
性在老年人的生活中起着重要作用。然而，关于对晚年性取向全面理解至关重要的本质意义的研究却很少。在本研究中，我们采用描述性现象学方法，探究了性取向对老年寡妇意味着什么以及其蕴含的体验。目的抽样产生了10位处于恋爱关系中的老年女性。我们通过对参与者的深入访谈收集数据，并进行了主题分析。研究结果分为八个主题：试图发现自己的另一面、开始浪漫关系、焕发生命活力、展现女性特质、在意他人看法、享受性自由、感受性亲密的局限以及直面现实。老年寡妇的性生活涉及恢复其女性特质、自我实现和自尊的过程，这有助于她们通过培养更积极灵活的态度来过独立生活。
