Happily partnered older adults' relationship-enhancing behaviours

Title
Happily partnered older adults' relationship-enhancing behaviours
Publication Date
2020-06-21
Author(s)
Rahn, Alison
Bennett, Cary
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4820-075X
Email: cbenne30@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cbenne30
Jones, Tiffany
Lykins, Amy
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2930-3964
Email: alykins@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:alykins
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1111/ajag.12731
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/30235
Abstract
Objective: Relationship‐enhancing behaviours that contribute to older adults’ well‐being are scarcely considered in "active ageing" discourses despite relationship quality having been repeatedly linked to health outcomes. This paper explores such behaviours in older adults.
Methods: Cross‐sectional data were collected in 2016 from 168 partnered baby boomers (born 1946 to 1965) using an online survey. The 36 qualitative and quantitative questions were analysed using mixed methods.
Results: Participants were predominantly women (85%), with a mean age of 62 years (SD = 5.2). Relationship‐enhancing behaviours included verbal and non‐verbal cues, physical affection and pleasurable sexual activities. A couple's shared bed was an important relationship setting.
Conclusion: For happily partnered older adults, relationship quality improves personal well‐being. As a social determinant of healthy ageing, health policies and programs are needed to support older adults’ relationship quality. To this end, the development of targeted relationship interventions for delivery in health settings is warranted.
Link
Citation
Australasian Journal on Ageing, 39(S1), p. 30-39
ISSN
1741-6612
1440-6381
Start page
30
End page
39

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink