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Psychosexual Dysfunction in the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Susan H. Spence
Susan H. Spence*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Sydney
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Abstract

The area of psychosexual dysfunction in the elderly has been relatively ignored and very little research has been conducted into the aetiology, assessment, and treatment of such disorders. Many negative attitudes have been held traditionally relating to the sexual behaviour of older people, and this may account for the reluctance of many elderly clients to seek help, and for the lack of attention paid by helping professionals. The number of referrals for sex therapy from older persons is now beginning to increase, and evidence confirms that the majority of healthy older persons remain sexually active and sexually capable throughout their later years. Although there is a marked lack of empirical research, case studies suggest that cognitive-behavioural approaches offer promise in the treatment of psychosexual dysfunction in the elderly. Factors are discussed that relate specifically to older clients in the application of a cognitive-behavioural approach to assessment and therapy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , June 1992 , pp. 55 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1992

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References

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