Flesia Luca, Monaro Merylin, Jannini Emmanuele A, Limoncin Erika
Foster Care and Family Solidarity Unit, Azienda ULSS6 Euganea, Via Degli Scrovegni, 14, 35131 Padova, Italy.
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Feb 5;11(4):459. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11040459.
The role of ageism (i.e., discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age), in particular toward the sexuality of the elderly, remains, to date, an overlooked issue. A few studies have suggested that ageistic stereotypes can negatively affect older adults' sexual health. No data are available, in particular, about differences among heterosexual and LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) populations. The present study aimed to investigate differences in perceived ageism and related dysfunctional beliefs in a sample of heterosexual ( = 104) and LGB ( = 103) older adults (aged 55 or older; mean age 66.5) and their impact on sexual health and satisfaction. LGB individuals reported higher rates of masturbation and sexual intercourse and an increased quality of sexual activity as compared to heterosexuals. In addition, no differences between the groups emerged as regards perceived ageism and dysfunctional beliefs toward ageing. In conclusion, LGB individuals perceived more ageism toward sexuality than their counterparts; however, heterosexuals were more likely to have dysfunctional beliefs toward sexuality in ageing. The study findings highlight the significance of examining sexual orientation to understand experiences of sexuality in ageing of the growing older population. Renewed socio-educational efforts based on these data are clearly needed.
年龄歧视（即基于年龄对个人或群体的歧视），尤其是针对老年人性行为的歧视，迄今为止仍是一个被忽视的问题。一些研究表明，年龄歧视的刻板印象会对老年人的性健康产生负面影响。特别是，目前尚无关于异性恋和LGB（女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋）人群差异的数据。本研究旨在调查104名异性恋和103名LGB老年人（年龄在55岁及以上；平均年龄66.5岁）样本中感知到的年龄歧视及相关功能失调信念的差异，以及它们对性健康和满意度的影响。与异性恋者相比，LGB个体报告的自慰和性交率更高，性活动质量也有所提高。此外，在对年龄歧视的感知以及对衰老的功能失调信念方面，两组之间没有差异。总之，LGB个体比异性恋者感受到更多针对性行为的年龄歧视；然而，异性恋者在衰老过程中对性行为更可能持有功能失调的信念。研究结果凸显了审视性取向对于理解老年人口性行为经历的重要性。显然需要基于这些数据重新开展社会教育工作。
