Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Touching and Difficulties with Sexual Arousal and Orgasm Among U.S. Older Adults

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Little is known about the non-genitally-focused sexual behavior of those experiencing sexual difficulties. The objective of this study was to review the theory supporting a link between sexual touching and difficulties with sexual arousal and orgasm, and to examine associations between these constructs among older adults in the United States. The data were from the 2005–2006 National Social Life Health and Aging Project, which surveyed 3,005 community-dwelling men and women ages 57–85 years. The 1,352 participants who had had sex in the past year reported on their frequency of sexual touching and whether there had been a period of several months or more in the past year when they were unable to climax, had trouble getting or maintaining an erection (men) or had trouble lubricating (women). Women also reported how often they felt sexually aroused during partner sex in the last 12 months. The odds of being unable to climax were greater by 2.4 times (95% CI 1.2–4.8) among men and 2.8 times (95% CI 1.4–5.5) among women who sometimes, rarely or never engaged in sexual touching, compared to those who always engaged in sexual touching, controlling for demographic factors and physical health. These results were attenuated but persisted after controlling for emotional relationship satisfaction and psychological factors. Similar results were obtained for erectile difficulties among men and subjective arousal difficulties among women, but not lubrication difficulties among women. Infrequent sexual touching is associated with arousal and orgasm difficulties among older adults in the United States.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Although sexual excitation and inhibition are associated with erectile problems and arousal and orgasm difficulties among women, measures of these factors were not available in the dataset and are therefore not included in the analysis (Bancroft, Carnes, Janssen, & Long, 2005; Sanders, Graham, & Milhausen, 2008).

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Bachmann, G. A. (1995). Influence of menopause on sexuality. International Journal of Fertility and Menopausal Studies, 40(Suppl. 1), 16–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J. (2002). The medicalization of female sexual dysfunction: The need for caution. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31, 451–455.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J. (2009). Human sexuality and its problems (3rd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J., Carnes, L., Janssen, E., Goodrich, D., & Long, J. (2005). Erectile and ejaculatory problems in gay and heterosexual men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34, 285–297.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J., Janssen, E., Strong, D., Carnes, L., Vukadinovic, Z., & Long, J. S. (2003). The relation between mood and sexuality in heterosexual men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 217–230.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J., Loftus, J., & Long, J. S. (2003). Distress about sex: A national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 193–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basson, R. (2000). The female sexual response: A different model. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 51–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basson, R. (2001). Human sex-response cycles. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 27, 33–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basson, R. (2002a). A model of women’s sexual arousal. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 28, 1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basson, R. (2002b). Women’s sexual desire—disordered or misunderstood? Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 28(Suppl. 1), 17–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basson, R. (2008). Comment on Janssen et al. (2008) [Letter to the Editor]. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 511.

  • Bello, R. S., Brandau-Brown, F. E., Zhang, S., & Ragsdale, J. D. (2010). Verbal and nonverbal methods for expressing appreciation in friendships and romantic relationships: A cross-cultural comparison. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34, 294–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumstein, P., & Schwartz, P. (1983). American couples: Money, work, sex. New York: Morrow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, A., & Meston, C. M. (2006). The impact of anxiety on sexual arousal in women. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1067–1077.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brisset, D., & Lewis, L. (1970). Guidelines for marital sex: An analysis of fifteen popular marriage manuals. The Family Coordinator, 19, 41–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brotto, L. A., Heiman, J. R., & Tolman, D. L. (2009). Narratives of desire in mid-age women with and without arousal difficulties. Journal of Sex Research, 46, 387–398.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, D., Janssen, E., Graham, C., 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, L. M., Nathanson, C. A., & Kim, Y. J. (2009). Physical women, emotional men: Gender and sexual satisfaction in midlife. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 87–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, C. S. (1998). Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 23, 779–818.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalheira, A. A., Brotto, L. A., & Leal, I. (2010). Women’s motivations for sex: Exploring the diagnostic and statistical manual, fourth edition, text revision criteria for hypoactive sexual desire and female sexual arousal disorders. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 1454–1463.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chivers, M. L., Seto, M. C., Lalumiere, M. L., Laan, E., & Grimbos, T. (2010). Agreement of self-reported and genital measures of sexual arousal in men and women: A meta-analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39, 5–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 385–396.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Comfort, A. (2002). The joy of sex: Fully revised and completely updated for the 21st century. New York: Crown Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey, J. M., & Reichert, T. (2000). Portrayal of married sex in the movies. Sexuality and Culture, 4, 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dennerstein, L., Dudley, E. C., Hopper, J. L., Guthrie, J. R., & Burger, H. G. (2000). A prospective population-based study of menopausal symptoms. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 96, 351–358.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dennerstein, L., Lehert, P., & Burger, H. (2005). The relative effects of hormones and relationship factors on sexual function of women through the natural menopausal transition. Fertility and Sterility, 84, 174–180.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dove, N. L., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). Cognitive distraction and women’s sexual functioning. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26, 67–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, J. M. (2001). SSRI antidepressant medications: Adverse effects and tolerability. Primary Care Companion to Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 3, 22–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, W. A., Rosen, R. C., Eardley, I., Sand, M., & Goldstein, I. (2005). Sexual experience of female partners of men with erectile dysfunction: The Female Experience of Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (FEMALES) study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2, 675–684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fracher, J., & Kimmel, M. S. (1995). Hard issues and soft spots: Counseling men about sexuality. In M. Kimmel & M. A. Messner (Eds.), Men’s lives (pp. 365–374). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, E., Anderson, C., & Rubinstein, D. (1978). Frequency of sexual dysfunction in “normal” couples. New England Journal of Medicine, 299, 111–115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gagnon, J. H. (1990). The explicit and implicit use of the scripting perspective in sex research. Annual Review of Sex Research, 1, 1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallace, A., & Spence, C. (2010). The science of interpersonal touch: An overview. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 34, 246–259.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, J., & Brungardt, K. (2000). Lesbian sex secrets for men: What every man wants to know about making love to a woman and never asks. New York: Penguin Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, C. A., Sanders, S. A., Milhausen, R. R., & McBride, K. R. (2004). Turning on and turning off: A focus group study of the factors that affect women’s sexual arousal. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 33, 527–538.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gulledge, A. K., Gulledge, M. H., & Stahmann, R. F. (2003). Romantic physical affection types and relationship satisfaction. American Journal of Family Therapy, 31, 233–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., Catalan, J., & Fagg, J. (1992). Sex therapy for erectile dysfunction: Characteristics of couples, treatment outcome and prognostic factors. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 21, 161–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Schick, V., Sanders, S. A., Dodge, B., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2010). Sexual behaviors, relationships, and perceived health status among adult women in the United States: Results from a national probability sample. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 277–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hertenstein, M. J., Verkamp, J. M., Kerestes, A. M., & Holmes, R. M. (2006). The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: A review and synthesis of the empirical research. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 132, 5–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hite, S. (1976). The Hite report: A nationwide study on female sexuality. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert, D. F., Apt, C., & Rabehl, S. M. (1993). Key variables to understanding female sexual satisfaction: An examination of women in nondistressed marriages. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 19, 154–165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen, E., McBride, K. R., Yarber, W., Hill, B. J., & Butler, S. M. (2008). Factors that influence sexual arousal in men: A focus group study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 252–265.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen, E., Vorst, H., Finn, P., & Bancroft, J. (2002). 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerner, I. (2008). Passionista: The empowered woman’s guide to pleasuring her man. New York: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunkel, D., Cope, K. M., & Biely, E. (1999). Sexual messages on television: Comparing findings from three studies. Journal of Sex Research, 36, 230–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laan, E., Everaerd, W., Vanbellen, G., & Hanewald, G. (1994). Women’s sexual and emotional responses to male-produced and female-produced erotica. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 23, 153–169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laipson, P. (1996). Kiss without shame, for she desires it: Sexual foreplay in American marital advice literature, 1900–1925. Journal of Social History, 29, 507–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Das, A., & Waite, L. J. (2008). Sexual dysfunction among older adults: Prevalence and risk factors from a nationally representative U.S. probability sample of men and women 57–85 years of age. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5, 2300–2311.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., Glasser, D. B., Kang, J. H., Wang, T., Levinson, B., …, Gingell, C. (2006). A cross-national study of subjective sexual well-being among older women and men: Findings from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 145–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281, 537–544.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. (2002). After sildenafil: Bridging the gap between pharmacologic treatment and satisfying sexual relationships. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63(Suppl. 5), 17–22.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R., & Rosen, R. C. (1991). Couples therapy for erectile disorders: Conceptual and clinical considerations. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 17, 147–159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Light, K. C., Grewen, K. M., & Amico, J. A. (2005). More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. Biological Psychology, 69, 5–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindau, S., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E., Levinsion, W., O’Muircheartaigh, C., & Waite, L. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 357, 762–774.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, D. T., Love, G., & Kirby, M. (1981). Sex on the soap operas: Patterns of intimacy. Journal of Communication, 31, 90–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lykins, A. D., Janssen, E., & Graham, C. A. (2006). The relationship between negative mood and sexuality in heterosexual college women and men. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 136–143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahay, J., Laumann, E. O., & Michaels, S. (2001). Race, gender and class in sexual scripts. In E. O. Laumann & R. T. Michael (Eds.), Sex, love, and health in America: Private choices and public policies (pp. 197–238). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, M. E., Bauer, R. M., Schorsch, I., Sonnenberg, J. E., Stief, C. G., & Uckert, S. (2007). Female sexual dysfunction: What’s new? Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 19, 536–540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, M. P. (1997). Intimacy and quality of life among sexually dysfunctional men and women. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 23, 276–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, M., Althof, S. E., Assalian, P., Chevret-Measson, M., Leiblum, S. R., Simonelli, C., et al. (2010). Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7, 327–336.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, B., & McDonald, D. (2009). Sex therapy failures: A crucial, yet ignored, issue. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 35, 320–329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meston, C. M., & Bradford, A. (2007). Sexual dysfunctions in women. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 3, 233–256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, S. A., Baldwin, D. S., & Riley, A. (2002). Antidepressant medications: A review of the evidence for drug-induced sexual dysfunction. Journal of Affective Disorders, 69, 119–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. M. (2010). Human nonverbal courtship behavior: A brief historical review. Journal of Sex Research, 47, 171–180.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mosher, D. L., & Tomkins, S. S. (1988). Scripting the macho man: Hypermasculine socialization and enculturation. Journal of Sex Research, 25, 60–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 3–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nathan, S. G. (1986). The epidemiology of the DSM-III psychosexual dysfunctions. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 12, 267–281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Muircheartaigh, C., Eckman, S., & Smith, S. (2009). Statistical design and estimation for the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(Suppl. 1), i12–i19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Sullivan, L. F., Cheng, M. M., Harris, K. M., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2007). I wanna hold your hand: The progression of social, romantic and sexual events in adolescent relationships. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 39, 100–107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. H., Sonenstein, F. L., & Ku, L. C. (1993). Masculinity ideology: Its impact on adolescent males’ heterosexual relationships. Journal of Social Issues, 49, 11–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pleck, J. H., Sonenstein, F. L., & Ku, L. C. (1994). Attitudes toward male roles among adolescent males: A discriminant validity analysis. Sex Roles, 30, 481–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potts, A., Grace, V. M., Vares, T., & Gavey, N. (2006). ‘Sex for life’? Men’s counter-stories on ‘erectile dysfunction’, male sexuality and ageing. Sociology of Health & Illness, 28, 306–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qato, D. M., Schumm, L. P., Johnson, M., Mihai, A., & Lindau, S. T. (2009). Medication data collection and coding in a home-based survey of older adults. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 64B, i86–i93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quackenbush, D. M., Strassberg, D. S., & Turner, C. W. (1995). Gender effects of romantic themes in erotica. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 24, 21–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general public. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. C. (1996). Erectile dysfunction: The medicalization of male sexuality. Clinical Psychology Review, 16, 497–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rupp, H. A., & Wallen, K. (2008). Sex differences in response to visual sexual stimuli: A review. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 206–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santtila, P., Wager, I., Witting, K., Harlaar, N., Jern, P., Johansson, A., et al. (2008). Discrepancies between sexual desire and sexual activity: Gender differences and associations with relationship satisfaction. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 34, 29–42.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schick, V., Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Sanders, S. A., Dodge, B., Middlestadt, S. E., et al. (2010). Sexual behaviors, condom use, and sexual health of Americans over 50: Implications for sexual health promotion for older adults. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7(Suppl. 1), 315–329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schumm, L. P., McClintock, M., Williams, S., Leitsch, S., Lundstrom, J., Hummel, T., et al. (2009). Assessment of sensory function in the national social life, health and aging project. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 64B, i76–i85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seal, D. W., Smith, M., Coley, B., Perry, J., & Gamez, M. (2008). Urban heterosexual couples’ sexual scripts for three shared sexual experiences. Sex Roles, 58, 626–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiovitz-Ezra, S., Leitsch, S., Graber, J., & Karraker, A. (2009). Quality of life and psychological health indicators in the national social life, health, and aging project. Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(Suppl. 1), i30–i37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, W., & Gagnon, J. H. (1986). Sexual scripts: Permanence and change. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 15, 97–120.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sims, K. E., & Meana, M. (2010). Why did passion wane? A qualitative study of married women’s attributions for declines in sexual desire. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 36, 360–380.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S., Jaszczak, A., Graber, J., Lundeen, K., Leitsch, S., Wargo, E., et al. (2009). Instrument development, study design implementation, and survey conduct for the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(Suppl. 1), i20–i29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snaith, R. P., & Zigmond, A. S. (1986). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. British Medical Journal, 292, 344.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tiefer, L. (2004). Sex is not a natural act and other essays (2nd ed.). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolhuizen, J. H. (1986). Communication strategies for intensifying dating relationships: Identification, use, and structure. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 6, 413–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varjonen, M., Santtila, P., Hoglund, M., Jern, P., Johansson, A., Wager, I., et al. (2007). Genetic and environmental effects on sexual excitation and sexual inhibition in men. Journal of Sex Research, 44, 359–369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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-Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64, I56–I66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, L. M. (2003). Understanding the role of entertainment media in the sexual socialization of American youth: A review of empirical research. Developmental Review, 23, 347–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickremaratchi, M. M., & Llewelyn, J. G. (2006). Effects of ageing on touch. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 82, 301–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Winks, C., & Semans, A. (2002). The good vibrations guide to sex: The most complete sex manual ever written. San Francisco: Cleis Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witting, K., Santtila, P., Varjonen, M., Jern, P., Johansson, A., von der Pahlen, B., et al. (2008). Female sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and compatibility with partner. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5, 2587–2599.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zigmond, A. S., & Snaith, R. P. (1983). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 67, 361–370.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zurbriggen, E. L., & Yost, M. R. (2004). Power, desire, and pleasure in sexual fantasies. Journal of Sex Research, 41, 288–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute on Aging, the Office of Women’s Health Research, the Office of AIDS Research, the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, and the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development for the National Health, Social Life, and Aging Project (NSHAP R01AG021487, R37AG030481), the NSHAP Wave 2 Partner Project (R01AG033903), the Center on Demography and Economics of Aging (P30AG012857), the Population Research Center (R24HD051152), and the Specialized Training Program in the Demography and Economics of Aging (T32AG000243).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center on the Demography and Economics of Aging, University of Chicago, 1155 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Adena M. Galinsky

Authors
  1. Adena M. Galinsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adena M. Galinsky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Galinsky, A.M. Sexual Touching and Difficulties with Sexual Arousal and Orgasm Among U.S. Older Adults. Arch Sex Behav 41, 875–890 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9873-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9873-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation