Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec>
<jats:title>Introduction</jats:title>
<jats:p>Age-related declines in multiple facets of sexuality in later life are well documented. However, most studies have been cross-sectional with data collected at one point in time, leaving questions about cohort differences and interrelated historical changes in physical health and psychosocial functioning unanswered.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>We examined cohort differences in perceived importance and enjoyment of sexuality in late midlife using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) obtained 20 years apart, 1992–1993 (<jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 718) and 2012–2013 (<jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 860), from two independent samples aged 55 to 65 years (both samples: <jats:italic>M</jats:italic><jats:sub>age</jats:sub> ≈ 60, 52–53% women).</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>Later-born adults in late midlife reported attributing slightly higher importance to sexuality than their earlier-born peers and experiencing their sex life as slightly less pleasant. Effect sizes were small at the sample level (<jats:italic>d</jats:italic> < .15), but substantial for certain population segments. For example, historical increases in reported importance of sexuality were especially pronounced among women with no partner (<jats:italic>d</jats:italic> = .56). When controlling for socio-demographic, physical health, and psychosocial factors, cohort differences in perceived importance of sexuality remained significant, but those for enjoyment did not.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title>
<jats:p>Late-midlife sexuality undergoes historical changes. Specifically, reported perceived importance of sexuality has increased over historical time, especially in particular population segments.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Policy implications</jats:title>
<jats:p>We discuss whether our findings represent historical changes in actual behavior, perception, or the willingness to report on one’s sex life.</jats:p>
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