Abstract
Working from a life course perspective, we examined how acquiescence (i.e., “lack of resistance”) to an unwanted (i.e., “without experiencing a concomitant desire”) first sexual experience was related to health and well-being in late life. Data were drawn from the second wave of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2010/11). The sample included 2558 older adults ages 62–99 (1182 men and 1376 women). Results from regression models suggested those respondents whose first sex was acquiesced reported higher levels of psychological distress and poorer physical health during late life than respondents whose first sex was wanted. Results from generalized structural equation modeling analysis further suggested that the association between acquiesced first sex and late-life health operated through adulthood socioeconomic status but not through marital relationships. We did not find gender differences in these processes.
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This research was supported by the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG061118).
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HL developed the conceptual framework, drafted the paper, and conducted the analysis. SS contributed to writing and developing conceptual framework. MR helped with data cleaning and literature review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Appendix: Results with Missing Income Imputed
Appendix: Results with Missing Income Imputed
See Table
3 and Figs.
GSEM Path Diagram for Acquiesced First Sex Linked to CES-D in Late Life with Missing Income Imputed. N = 3108, ***p < .001, **p < .01, *p < .05, + p < .10. All equations controlled for sociodemographic and childhood adversity covariates. AIC = 54,701.54; BIC = 55,511.13
3 and
GSEM Path Diagram for Acquiesced First Sex Linked to Self-Rated Physical Health in Late Life with Missing Income Imputed. N = 3,108, ***p < .001, **p < .01, *p < .05, + p < .10. All equations controlled for sociodemographic and childhood adversity covariates. AIC = 46,829.95; BIC = 47,651.62
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Liu, H., Shen, S. & Russ, M. “Went Along With”: Acquiescence During First Sexual Experience and Late-Life Health. Arch Sex Behav 51, 1591–1605 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02206-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02206-2