A Sexualidade Na Velhice: Representações Sociais De Idosos Frequentadores de Um Grupo de Convivência

Abstract

Resumo: Objetivou-se apreender as representações sociais dos idosos acerca da sexualidade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem qualitativa, fundamentada nos aportes teóricos e metodológicos da Teoria das Representações Sociais. Participaram 30 idosos frequentadores de um grupo de convivência localizado em João Pessoa-PB. Foram utilizadas entrevistas em profundidade, cujo conteúdo foi submetido à análise de conteúdo temático. Os conteúdos representacionais abordaram os elementos constituintes da sexualidade, as mudanças decorrentes do envelhecimento, a importância das vivências sexuais para a pessoa idosa, bem como a percepção negativa dessas práticas por parte da sociedade em geral. Observou-se que as representações sociais da sexualidade apresentaram-se de forma semelhante à descrição científica, demonstrando similaridades entre o senso comum e o conhecimento erudito. Acredita-se que este estudo possa contribuir de forma parcimoniosa para a promoção de mudanças de atitudes acerca da sexualidade da pessoa idosa, trazendo benefícios para a qualidade de vida dessa população. Palavras-chave: Sexualidade, Envelhecimento, Representações Sociais. Sexuality in Old Age: Social Representations of Elderly Patrons of a Social GroupAbstract: This study aimed to identify the social representations of older people surrounding sexuality. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, based on the theoretical and methodological contributions of the theory of social representations. Thirty elderly patrons of a support group located in João Pessoa, Brazil, participated. In-depth interviews were conducted, with the purpose of determining content subject to thematic content analysis. Representational content included the elements of sexuality, changes resulting from aging, importance of sexual experiences for the elderly, and negative perception of these practices on the part of society in general. It was observed that the social representations of sexuality were presented in a similar manner to scientific description, demonstrating similarities between common sense and scholarly knowledge. It is believed that this study will contribute sparingly to promote changes in attitudes about sexuality in the elderly, thereby bringing benefits to the quality of life of this population.

Analysis of the sexual behavior of elderly women treated at a gynecological outpatient clinic

“…There was a greater proportion of women who believed that sex improves quality of life and who continued to feel sexual desire (68.7%). The results point out that sexuality is an important factor for a good quality of life in old age, making an understanding of how the elderly perceive and experience the same essential 16 .…”

“…It was observed that most patients continued to feel sexual desire. Of the sexually active, 80.8% still felt sexual desire, but unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge and cultural pressure, many such elderly people also experience feelings of guilt or shame for simply perceiving themselves to have the desire to seek pleasure 16 .…”

The exercise of sexuality among the elderly and associated factors

“…The disappointments and resentments experienced in the life of a couple have also been described as factors that interfere with sexual practice, and were found in greater numbers among women. 8 Lindau et al 19 reported that the prevalence of sexual activity declines with age, and that women are less likely to have intercourse than men at all ages, with those who continued sexual practice indicating at least one problem that interfered with sex. The women described vaginal dryness and decreased sexual desire, while men mentioned difficulty with erections as factors that interfered with sexual activity.…”

“…When the meaning of sexuality relates only to having sex, it implies that when the elderly stop having sex, they become asexual. 6,8,9 The independent variables were represented by socio-demographic data (gender, age, marital status, education and religion), health status (selfperceived health), morbidities, medical diagnosis, physical exercise and self-perceived body image, which was evaluated using the Stunkard, Sorensen and Sunkard questionnaire. 10 Data was collected between May and June 2012, when the elderly persons were recruited in UnATI by a researcher who informed them about the study and its objectives, based on their interest.…”

Sexualidade de idosos: conhecimento/atitude de enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família

“…Health professionals must be free from prejudice, and it is essential that they do not treat this population as degenerating beings. "Therefore, they must create situations that promote self-esteem, speak directly about the subject and respond to all questions, without mincing words or showing embarrassment, helping these patient's biopsychosocial well-being" (6) .…”