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Factors influencing young adults' attitudes and knowledge of late-life sexuality among older women
- Authors:
- ALLEN Rebecca S., PETRO Kathryn N., PHILLIPS Laura L.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(2), March 2009, pp.238-245.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Using vignette methodology in an online survey examined older women's health and young adults' general knowledge and attitudes toward aging and sexuality, personal sexual behaviour, religious beliefs and perceived closeness with an older adult on attitudes towards sexual behaviour and perceptions of consent capacity among older women. The health status of older women proved important in determining young adults' acceptance and perception of sexual consent capacity regarding late-life heterosexual/autoerotic and homosexual behaviours. Specifically, young adults expressed lower acceptance and more doubt regarding capacity to consent to sexual expression when the older woman was described as cognitively impaired. Additionally, young adults' personal attitudes toward late-life sexuality, but not knowledge, predicted acceptance toward sexual expression and belief in sexual consent capacity. By gaining an understanding of what influences negative attitudes toward sexuality and beliefs about sexual consent capacity, the stigma associated with sexuality in late life may be reduced.