The Effect of Health and Functional Limitation on Sexual Life Satisfaction: Evidence from Elderly Korean Couples

Abstract

We analyzed the effects of elderly couples' physical and cognitive health and the limitations in independent living on their sexual life satisfaction. Using Korean nationally representative data of 1,930 couples aged 65 or older in 2011, we conducted Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) analysis. The results revealed that the worse physical and cognitive functions of the older adults caused limitations in independent living, and these hindered their sexual life satisfaction. Specifically, we found that the sexual life satisfaction for husbands was influenced only by their own worse physical and cognitive functions. However, sexual life satisfaction for wives was affected by both their own and their spouses' worse cognitive function. The results suggested that it was important to prevent and delay physical and cognitive health decline to improve the sexual life satisfaction of elderly couples.