The full picture of aging (TFPA): exploring body image in the sexual lives of older women

Abstract

This study aimed to explore how older women understand their body image in the context of their sexual lives and relationships, explore how older women think, feel, perceive, and act on their body image in their sexual lives and relationships and explore the role of a partner in shaping their body image in their sexual lives. 5 older women (M age = 64, SD = 4.30) currently in a relationship, living in North America, participated in 60-minute semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis identified three themes: 1) My body has changed and so has my body image; 2) older women navigate bodily changes along a continuum of acceptance; and 3) the relationship is important. Together, these results suggested that body image in the sexual lives of older women is complex, nuanced and influenced by their relationships and partners. These results highlight the importance of addressing multiple aspects when assessing older women’s sexual body image.