(107) CAN AGEISM RELATED TO ELDERLY PEOPLE AND DYSFUNCTIONAL BELIEFS ABOUT SEXUALITY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE BE ASSOCIATED WITH SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND SEXUAL LIFE? A COMPARISON BETWEEN HETEROSEXUAL AND HOMOSEXUAL MEN AND WOMEN

Abstract Objectives No information exists about the impact of ageism and dysfunctional beliefs on quality of sexual life of elderly people, considering several sexual orientations. Aim of this study was to evaluate: (1) the presence of “ageism” in elderly heterosexual and homosexual persons (2) the impact of ageism on sexual activity/sexual satisfaction of elderly heterosexual and homosexual persons (3) the impact of dysfunctional beliefs about elderly people on sexual activity/sexual satisfaction. Methods Elderly people were evaluated cross-sectionally through an online survey managed using GoogleForms. To enrol elderly heterosexual and homosexual people, the link was then disseminated to LGB communities and social media. Evaluation of demographics, of physical and psycho-social wellbeing, of the ageism and of dysfunctional beliefs was made with an explorative questionnaire. Results The results showed no statistically significant difference between homosexuals and heterosexuals in terms of the presence of ageism related to old age (p=0,47). On the contrary, homosexuals perceive significantly less the social representation of sexuality of elderly people in respect to heterosexual ones (p=0,0007). Dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality of elderly people are significantly more present among heterosexual people (p=0,0001). In terms of sexual behaviour, elderly homosexual people declared significantly higher frequency of sexual activities (p<0,05), compared to that referred by heterosexual persons. Conclusions In line with these findings, it is possible to suppose that ageism related to sexuality, expressed as the absence of social representation of sexuality in elderly people, is more present in homosexuals, while dysfunctional beliefs about sexuality could impact more on sexuality of heterosexual people. Conflicts of Interest All the authors declared no conflict of interests. Prof. Jannini Emmanuele declared to have or have been speaker/paid consultant for: Bayer, Ibsa, Lundbeck, Menarini, Otsuka, Pfzer, Shionogi, and Viatris.