Effects of experiences in sexuality on anxiety and quality of life of elderly people

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the effects of experiences in sexuality on anxiety and quality of life of elderly people. Method this is a cross-sectional and analytical study developed with 550 elderly people. Validated instruments were used to obtain data on sexuality, anxiety and quality of life. The analysis was performed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Structural Equation Modeling with 95% confidence interval. Results among the dimensions of sexuality, affective relationships and better coping with physical and social adversity exerted anxiety-reducing effects. In addition, sexual intercourse and better coping with physical and social adversities exerted effects of increased quality of life. Conclusion and implications for practice health professionals can invest in sexuality, to be worked on in groups and individually, especially in the affective component, since it had a strong and positive effect on quality of life, and in physical and social adversity, which had a moderate and negative effect on anxiety.