Older adults’ sexual well-being and person-centered psychotherapy: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION: A qualitative study about older adults’ sexual well-being and person-centered psychotherapy OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the main concerns related to sexual well-being revealed by older adults in person-centered therapy, using qualitative research. METHODS: Interviews with 58 older participants, aged 65 to 82 years, living in the community were submitted to content analysis. RESULTS: Eight main themes emerged from the results of the content analysis: Partner unavailability, family issues, physical changes due to aging, worries about hygiene, sexual dysfunctions, fear of physical abuse, communication issues and concerns about sexual transmitted diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study was relevant towards identifying the challenges older adults feel regarding their sexual well-being, as shared in therapy. Older adults referred their greatest challenges to be partner unavailability, family issues and physical changes due to aging. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.