Sexual Expression and Cognitive Function: Gender-Divergent Associations in Older Adults.
Prior research demonstrates a positive association between sexual activity and cognitive function in later life. However, the relationship between the type of sexual activity and cognitive function in older adulthood remains unclear. This study explored the associations between the frequency of engaging in different types of sexual activities (intercourse, masturbation, and kissing/petting/fondling) and cognitive function in older women and men. Using data from Wave 6 of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), 1915 women and 2195 men (age range 50-89 years; n = 4110) reporting any type of sexual activity over the past 12 months were included in the study. Multiple regression controlling for age, education, satisfaction with sex life, cohabiting, wealth, general health, physical activity, depression, and loneliness was used to explore the associations between the frequency of engagement in intercourse, masturbation, and kissing/petting/fondling, and two measures of cognitive function: word recall and number sequencing. For women, masturbation was linked to better word recall (p = .008), while for men, kissing/petting/fondling was associated with better number sequencing (p = .035). In women (p = .016) and men (p = .018), dissatisfaction with sex life was associated with better number sequencing. The results point to gendered links between sexual activity and cognitive function. These gender-related divergences may reflect differences in biological/neurological mechanisms, or in cognitive lifestyle factors that could influence cognitive reserve in later life. This novel study underscores the need to delineate the underlying mechanisms of the association between sex and cognition in men and women.
['Wright|Hayley|H|0000-0003-2199-8255', 'Jenks|Rebecca A|RA|', 'Lee|David M|DM|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D000375:Aging D003071:Cognition D005260:Female D005783:Gender Identity D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012725:Sexual Behavior
Cognition Sexual activity Later life ELSA Gender differences