Psychosocial factors influencing risk-taking in middle age for STIs

Jenny Dalrymple, Joanne Booth, Paul Flowers, Karen Lorimer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)
352 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives To increase the knowledge of the psychosocial factors influencing sexual risk-taking for STIs among adults in late middle age. Methods Individual interviews were conducted either face to face or by telephone with 31 heterosexual men and women aged between 45 and 65. They were recruited from NHS sexual health services (n=16) and council run culture and leisure facilities (n=15) in a large Scottish city. A total of 18 women and 13 men were interviewed. All interviews were transcribed in full and thematically analysed. Results Analysis detailed important psychosocial and sociocultural factors; the prioritisation of intimacy above and beyond concerns about risks for STI in sexual partnerships; the importance of unwanted pregnancy in shaping risk perceptions throughout the life course; vulnerability associated with periods of relationship transition (eg, bereavement, divorce or separation); social norms and cultural expectations relating to age-appropriate sexual and health-seeking behaviours. Conclusions This is the first qualitative study to examine the factors associated with sexual risk-taking among heterosexual adults in late middle age in the UK. Many factors associated with sexual risk-taking are similar to those reported within other populations. However, we also detail population-specific factors, which should be considered in terms of the development of interventions for at risk' older adults, or the tailoring of wider behaviour change interventions to this specific age group.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-38
Number of pages7
JournalSexually Transmitted Infections
Volume93
Early online date7 Jul 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • sexually transmitted infections
  • middle age
  • prevention
  • qualitative research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Psychosocial factors influencing risk-taking in middle age for STIs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this