Sexual Health Behaviors and Outcomes Among Middle-Aged and Older Disabled Adults in Britain

Sexual health is crucial for well-being, yet research often overlooks middle-aged and older adults, as well as those with disabilities. This study explores the sexual health of disabled middle-aged and older adults in Britain.

We aim to explain sexual behaviors and outcomes among disabled adults aged 45-74 in Britain.

We conducted a secondary quantitative analysis using data from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3), a British population-representative survey. The study did not focus on a specific type of disability but rather included people who consider themselves to have a long-standing illness that limits their activity. The analysis incorporated variables on sexual behaviors and outcomes: bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regressions stratified by sex compared behaviors and outcomes by disability status.

Of 7082 participants included, 1906 were classified as being with limiting disability status. Adjusting for sociodemographic differences, compared to nondisabled individuals, those with limiting disability status adults were less likely to engage in sex in the last 4 weeks (aOR: 0.60, CI: 0.51-0.71) or be in a steady relationship (aOR: 0.69, CI: 0.59-0.80) and were more likely to report poorer sexual health outcomes, including having experienced coerced sex attempts (aOR:1.83, CI:1.48-2.27), had coerced sex (aOR: 1.64, CI:1.33-2.01), had their sex life affected by health in the last year (aOR: 5.08, CI:4.27-6.05), and sought help for their sex lives (aOR:1.73, CI:1.38-2.17).

Middle-aged and older disabled adults in Britain are less likely to be sexually active, yet more likely to experience negative sexual health outcomes. The increased health-seeking behaviors and their vulnerability highlight the necessity for tailored sexual health services, extending into middle age and older adulthood.