Sexual behaviors and attitudes of geriatric residents in long-term care facilities.

To date, there has been little research focusing upon the sexuality of elders, especially those living in long-term care institutions. The present study explores the sexual attitudes and behaviors of residents of senior citizens' homes. Subjects included 40 residents (17 men and 23 women) from two facilities. Subjects completed questionnaires measuring frequency of sexual activity, sexual desire, sexual attitudes, and sexual satisfaction. Additional items measured ratings of physical and emotional health and perceptions of their residence as facilitating or preventing sexual activity. Results indicated that sexual activity was infrequent for both males and females. Males reported significantly higher levels of sexual desire than did females. Age was negatively correlated with solitary sexual desire and with sexual attitudes. Decreased sexual satisfaction was associated with perceptions of poor emotional health and lack of privacy in the residence. Degree of religiosity was negatively correlated with sexual attitudes, and sexual self-efficacy expectations were positively correlated with sexual desire. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to quality of life in geriatric residences.

The sexual desire inventory: development, factor structure, and evidence of reliability.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a self-administered questionnaire to measure sexual desire. In the development phase, items were generated and pilot-tested with 24 subjects. Based on these data, items were deleted, added, or modified. Next, in Study One, the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) was administered to 197 females and 117 males. Factor analyses revealed that the SDI was multifactorial; however, none of the generated factor solutions up to five factors yielded a good fit. Interpretation of the factors led to revisions of the SDI. It was hypothesized that sexual desire might consist of two related dimensions; dyadic sexual desire and solitary sexual desire. Items on the SDI were modified to measure these two dimensions, and the revised SDI was administered to 249 females and 131 males. Factor analysis supported the presence of these two dimensions. Internal consistency estimates using Cronbach's alpha revealed coefficients of .86 for dyadic sexual desire and .96 for solitary sexual desire, providing preliminary evidence for the reliability of the SDI. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Non-traditional mothers: single heterosexual/lesbian women and lesbian couples electing motherhood via donor insemination.

The purpose of the project was to explore the motivation, reproductive and postdelivery experiences, and future concerns of single heterosexual and lesbian women and lesbian couples who attempted conception via donor insemination (DI). All women who had completed at least one cycle of DI between 1987 and 1992 at a large medical school infertility program were mailed a comprehensive 'Motherhood' questionnaire. Forty-five women completed the survey (response rate = 88%) of whom 14 were lesbians, 28 were heterosexuals, two were bisexual and one was celibate. The only major differences between the heterosexual women and the lesbian women were that the heterosexual women were older and had started DI attempts at an older age than the lesbian women. The majority of women reported that four major considerations prompted their decision to initiate DI when they did: feeling secure in their employment, the sense that time was running out, feeling that they had 'worked through' concerns about parenting, and that they had sufficient social support. Three characteristics were deemed moderately or very important in their selection of sperm donors: ethnicity, education and height. After achieving a pregnancy, most women wished to know more detailed information about their donor. Unlike heterosexual couples, all single and lesbian women planned to disclose the fact of DI to their offspring but were uncertain of when or how to accomplish this. The greatest worry reported by respondents was how their child would deal with the absence of a known designated father. Overall, the women were gratified with their experience of DI, and the majority would 'absolutely' recommend it to a friend.

Psychologically based treatment for male erectile disorder: a cognitive-interpersonal model.

Treatment approaches for male erectile disorder (MED) have proliferated in recent years. Due to the growing emphasis on medical or surgical approaches to treatment, however, there has been a relative neglect of the psychological or interpersonal dimensions of the problem. The present article describes a five-part model for time-limited, cognitive-interpersonal treatment of male erectile disorder. Key elements of the model are: psychoeducational and cognitive intervention; sexual and performance anxiety reduction; script assessment and modification; conflict resolution and relationship enhancement; and relapse prevention training. Although intended primarily for use with psychogenic erectile dysfunction in intact couples, the model can be applied to single males or those with organically based erectile difficulties. Several case examples are provided and the limitations of the model are discussed.

Incidence and prevalence of the sexual dysfunctions: a critical review of the empirical literature.

The research which has assessed the incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunctions is reviewed. Twenty-three studies are evaluated. Studies completed with community samples indicate a current prevalence of 5-10% for inhibited female orgasm, 4-9% for male erectile disorder, 4-10% for inhibited male orgasm, and 36-38% for premature ejaculation. Stable community estimates with regard to the current prevalence of female sexual arousal disorder, vaginismus, and dyspareunia are not available. Recent studies completed with clinical samples suggest an increase in the frequency of orgasmic and erectile dysfunction and a decrease in premature ejaculation as presenting problems. Desire disorders have increased as presenting problems in sex clinics, with recent data indicating that males outnumber females. Methodological limitations of these studies are identified and suggestions for future research are offered.