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Interviewing Older People in Residential Aged Care About Sexuality: Difficulties and Challenges

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Abstract

Sexuality is a sensitive topic that can be awkward and difficult to research qualitatively. When the research participants are older people living in residential aged care, some of whom have dementia, the process can be even more challenging. In this article, we outline the difficulties encountered in conducting face-to-face qualitative interviews with older people in residential aged care as part of a research project on sexuality conducted in the states of Victoria and Queensland, Australia. We explore issues surrounding ethics and recruitment and considerations for accessing residents with cognitive impairment, difficulties with the interview process, and the collection of meaningful data from participants. We provide advice and recommendations for future researchers on how to potentially minimize problems associated with conducting qualitative face-to-face interviews on sexuality with older people in residential aged care.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre–Carers and Consumers as part of the Australian Government’s Dementia Initiative. The views expressed in this work are the views of its authors and not necessarily those of the Australian Government. We also acknowledge the contribution of David Wellman and Elizabeth Beattie from Queensland University of Technology in data collection from Queensland sites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia

    Laura Tarzia, Michael Bauer & Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh

  2. Australian Institute for Primary Care and Ageing, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia

    Rhonda Nay

Authors
  1. Laura Tarzia
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  2. Michael Bauer
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  3. Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh
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  4. Rhonda Nay
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Correspondence to Laura Tarzia.

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Tarzia, L., Bauer, M., Fetherstonhaugh, D. et al. Interviewing Older People in Residential Aged Care About Sexuality: Difficulties and Challenges. Sex Disabil 31, 361–371 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-013-9297-5

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