Gender differences in sexual behaviors of AD patients and their relationship to spousal caregiver well-being.
نویسندگان
چکیده
OBJECTIVES Little is known about gender differences in sexuality among community-dwelling heterosexual couples in which one partner has Alzheimer's disease (AD). Few studies have examined gender differences in specific sexual behaviors or their associations with caregiver well-being. This study evaluated the impact of gender differences on intimacy and sexual satisfaction in marital relationships in which one partner has AD. METHOD Baseline measures were collected from 162 AD patients and their partners enrolled in a multi-site study between 2001 and 2009 to evaluate gender differences in measures of intimacy, caregiver well-being, and patient sexual behaviors. RESULTS While over 70% of all patients initiated physically intimate activities (i.e., kissing, hugging, and intercourse), most did not initiate intercourse specifically. Female caregivers reported higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than male caregivers (p < 0.01). Satisfaction with intimacy was significantly associated with fewer stress and depressive symptoms in female caregivers (r = -0.29, p < 0.01). Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and caring for a patient with mild AD were significant predictors of caregiver depressive symptoms (p's < 0.05). CONCLUSION The majority of couples dealing with AD reported engaging in intimacy, suggesting its importance in the relationship. Female caregivers who reported less sexual satisfaction reported more frequent stress and depressive symptoms. Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and the AD patient's level of cognitive functioning significantly contributed to caregiver well-being. Gender-specific therapies to address patient sexual difficulties and caregiver well-being could potentially maintain or improve the marital relationship.
منابع مشابه
Relationship of Social Maturity with Sexual Satisfaction, Subjective Well-being, and Controlling Behaviors in Couples: With an Emphasis on the Mediating Role of Marital Commitment
Background: Subjective well-being and satisfaction with life can help individuals to achieve more success in their lives and enjoy better supportive social relationships and higher levels of physical and mental health. The present study aimed to determine the relationship of social maturity with sexual satisfaction, well-being, and controlling behaviors through the mediating role of marital com...
متن کاملA Study about Older African American Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease
ii iii NOTICE TO BORROWERS All dissertations deposited in the Georgia State University Library must be used in accordance with the stipulations prescribed by the author in the preceding statement. Users of this dissertation not regularly enrolled as students at Georgia State University are required to attest acceptance of the preceding stipulations by signing below. Libraries borrowing this dis...
متن کاملThe Effectiveness Social Competence Instruction on the Tendency towards High- Risk Behaviors in the male adolescents of well-being boarding centers in Sabzevar and Mashhad
Objective: Risky behaviors are one of the major threats for health and well being, which increase the probability of physical, psychological and social harm for individual. High-risk behaviors include a variety of different behaviors such as tobacco use, drugs, alcohol or malicious behaviors that can endanger the health and well-being of adolescents and prevent their success and future growth. ...
متن کاملBRIEF REPORTS Willingness to Express Emotions to Caregiving Spouses
This study examined the association between care-recipients’ willingness to express emotions to spousal caregivers and caregiver’s well-being and support behaviors. Using self-report measures in the context of a larger study, 262 care-recipients with osteoarthritis reported on their willingness to express emotions to caregivers, and caregivers reported on their stress and insensitive responding...
متن کاملCaregiver Burden in Alzheimer's Disease: Differential Associations in Adult-Child and Spousal Caregivers in the GERAS Observational Study
BACKGROUND/AIMS To examine factors influencing the caregiver burden in adult-child and spousal caregivers of community-dwelling patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS Baseline data from the 18-month, prospective, observational GERAS study of 1,497 patients with AD in France, Germany, and the UK were used. Analyses were performed on two groups of caregivers: spouses (n = 985) and adul...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Aging & mental health
دوره 16 1 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2012