(Press-News.org) According to a National Poll on Healthy Aging, 93% of people in the U.S. between 50-80 years old report experiencing at least one form of ageism from other people. Internalized ageism is when a person believes ageist ideas about themselves, such as thinking they had a “senior moment” or thinking they are too old to learn new technology. Internalizing ageist stereotypes can impact older people’s mental and physical health, including sexual health. Various aspects of older adults’ sexual health have been studied widely; however, studies focusing on older gay men, who often face disproportionate health disparities, are limited.
New research from Lucas R. Prieto, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, found that internalized gay ageism affects some aspects of older gay men’s sexual health, but not all. Internalized gay ageism negatively impacts older gay men’s sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image. However, internalized gay ageism does not influence their erectile dysfunction. Internalized gay ageism (IGA) is the combination of internalized homophobia and ageism that captures the distinct experiences of older gay men, such as feeling invisible when they are with other gay men.
“A complete mediation effect was found, meaning that older gay men who internalize negative feelings about aging as a gay man (e.g. IGA), report lower body image and sexual satisfaction,” said Prieto, principal investigator. “Social and Mental Health Factors Associated with Sexual Satisfaction Among Older Gay Men” was published online in the Journal of Homosexuality in May 2024.
“Research shows that older adults who are sexually satisfied report better life satisfaction and quality of life; therefore, studies that explore sexual satisfaction among marginalized older adult populations, like older gay men, is needed. It is vital that providers understand the uniqueness of aging as a gay man to provide competent care,” said Prieto. The research also showed that older gay men in open relationships compared to being single or widowed were more likely to be sexually satisfied.
“Limiting our understanding of sexual satisfaction to older straight populations may lead to adverse health consequences for sexual minority groups. Our results indicate the need for health promoting interventions that are tailored to the cultural differences and experiences of older gay men,” said Prieto.
Additionally, Prieto explored the relationship between internalized gay ageism and erectile dysfunction (ED). Prieto found that age and overall health were factors that predicted ED in older gay men, but internalized gay ageism did not predict ED. These findings were published separately as “Factors Associated with Erectile Dysfunction Among Older Gay Men”, which was published online in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in June 2024.
Both papers’ findings came from a cross-sectional study titled “Study on Aging and Sexual Satisfaction among Gay Men (SASSY)” that surveyed gay men online on the topic of sexual health and well-being. Initial research for this study was done at Michigan State University, Prieto’s previous institution. Deirdre A. Shires and Yuan Xiong from Michigan State University are co-authors on both papers.
END
Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studies
Research from George Mason University College of Public Health faculty found an indirect relationship between internalized gay ageism and older gay men’s sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image, but internalized gay ageism
2024-06-21
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Lab-grown muscles reveal mysteries of rare muscle diseases
2024-06-21
DURHAM, N.C. – Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new technique to better understand and test treatments for a group of extremely rare muscle disorders called dysferlinopathy or limb girdle muscular dystrophies 2B (LGMD2B). The approach grows complex, functional 3D muscle tissue from stem cells in the laboratory, creating a platform that replicates patient symptoms and treatment responses.
In its debut study, researchers reveal some of the biological mechanisms underlying the characteristic loss of mobility caused by LGMD2B. They also demonstrate that a combination of existing treatments may be able to alleviate some ...
Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: Treatment options for a rare tumor
2024-06-21
“[...] PHA is a rare yet aggressive mesenchymal tumor of the liver, which requires a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve the best patient outcomes.”
BUFFALO, NY- June 21, 2024 – A new editorial paper was published in Oncoscience (Volume 11) on May 20, 2024, entitled, “Primary hepatic angiosarcoma: Treatment options for a rare tumor.”
In this new editorial, researchers Gregory L. Guzik and Ankit Mangla from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer ...
Research finds causal evidence tying cerebral small-vessel disease to Alzheimer’s, dementia
2024-06-21
SAN ANTONIO, June 21, 2024 – Research led by in part by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) finds that the most common cerebral small-vessel disease feature seen in brain magnetic resonance imaging is a primary vascular factor associated with dementia risk.
Results of the major international study emphasize the significance of that feature, known as white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden, in preventive strategies for dementia.
“Our findings provide converging evidence that WMH is a major vascular factor ...
Navigating the Pyrocene: Recent Cell Press papers on managing fire risk
2024-06-21
As wildfires become more intense and the fire season grows longer across parts of the world, humans will need to adapt. In this collection of papers from Cell Press journals One Earth and Cell Reports Sustainability, an intersection of fire management researchers comment on what needs to change to ensure we can collaborate across stakeholders in a more fire-resistant future.
The papers are publishing in advance of a Cell Press 50th Anniversary sustainabiltiy forum on the topic of “Navigating the Pyrocene: Managing fire risk in a warming world.” The virtual event, free to register, takes place Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11:00 am ET.
This ...
Restoring the Great Salt Lake would have environmental justice as well as ecological benefits
2024-06-21
Inland seas around the world are drying up due to increasing human water use and accelerating climate change, and their desiccation is releasing harmful dust that pollutes the surrounding areas during acute dust storms. Using the Great Salt Lake in Utah as a case study, researchers show that dust exposure was highest among Pacific Islanders and Hispanic people and lower in white people compared to all other racial/ethnic groups, and higher for individuals without a high school diploma. Restoring the lake ...
Cannabis, tobacco use, and COVID-19 outcomes
2024-06-21
About The Study: The findings of this cohort study suggest that cannabis use may be an independent risk factor for COVID-19–related complications, even after considering cigarette smoking, vaccination status, comorbidities, and other risk factors.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Li-Shiun Chen, M.D., M.P.H., Sc.D., email li-shiun@wustl.edu.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/
(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17977)
Editor’s ...
A 5:2 intermittent fasting meal replacement diet and glycemic control for adults with diabetes
2024-06-21
About The Study: This randomized clinical trial of Chinese adults with overweight or obesity and with early type 2 diabetes found that an intermittent fasting plan consisting of two nonconsecutive fasting days and five days of habitual intake per week and meal replacement diet (5:2 MR) could improve glycemic outcomes and weight loss in the short term compared with metformin or empagliflozin, making it a promising initial intervention and early management for type 2 diabetes.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Lixin Guo, M.D., email glx1218@163.com.
To access the embargoed study: Visit ...
Scientists document self-propelling oxygen decline in the oceans
2024-06-21
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have made significant strides in understanding ancient ocean anoxia, with potential insights for today's marine environments.
500 million years ago the so-called Cambrian ‘SPICE’ event made oxygen levels in the oceans drop dramatically.
Now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have investigated how large-scale ocean anoxia, or oxygen-depleted conditions, developed during the event, and its potential consequences today.
In the study, titled "Cascading oxygen loss shorewards in the oceans – insights from the Cambrian SPICE event" published in OneEarth ...
Activating molecular target reverses multiple hallmarks of aging
2024-06-21
HOUSTON ― Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have demonstrated that therapeutically restoring ‘youthful’ levels of a specific subunit of the telomerase enzyme can significantly reduce the signs and symptoms of aging in preclinical models. If these findings are confirmed in clinical studies, there may be therapeutic implications for age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease and cancer.
The study, published today in Cell, identified a small molecule compound ...
Cannabis use tied to increased risk of severe COVID-19
2024-06-21
As the deadly disease that came to be known as COVID-19 started spreading in late 2019, scientists rushed to answer a critical question: Who is most at risk?
They quickly recognized that a handful of characteristics — including age, smoking history, high body mass index (BMI) and the presence of other diseases such as diabetes — made people infected with the virus much more likely to become seriously ill and even die. But one suggested risk factor remains unconfirmed more than four years later: cannabis use. Evidence has emerged over time indicating both ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Researchers map 7,000-year-old genetic mutation that protects against HIV
KIST leads next-generation energy storage technology with development of supercapacitor that overcomes limitations
Urine, not water for efficient production of green hydrogen
Chip-scale polydimethylsiloxane acousto-optic phase modulator boosts higher-resolution plasmonic comb spectroscopy
Blood test for many cancers could potentially thwart progression to late stage in up to half of cases
Women non-smokers still around 50% more likely than men to develop COPD
AI tool uses face photos to estimate biological age and predict cancer outcomes
North Korea’s illegal wildlife trade threatens endangered species
Health care workers, firefighters have increased PFAS levels, study finds
Turning light into usable energy
Important step towards improving diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases
Maternal cardiometabolic health during pregnancy associated with higher blood pressure in children, NIH study finds
Mercury levels in the atmosphere have decreased throughout the 21st century
This soft robot “thinks” with its legs
Biologists identify targets for new pancreatic cancer treatments
Simple tweaks to a gene underlie the stench of rotten-smelling flowers
Simple, effective interventions reduce emissions from Bangladesh’s informal brick kilns
Ultrasound-guided 3D bioprinting enables deep-tissue implant fabrication in vivo
Soft limbs of flexible tubes and air enable dynamic, autonomous robotic locomotion
Researchers develop practical solution to reduce emissions and improve air quality from brick manufacturing in Bangladesh
Durham University scientists solve 500-million-year fossil mystery
Red alert for our closest relatives
3D printing in vivo using sound
Global Virus Network meeting unites Caribbean and Latin America to tackle emerging viral threats
MD Anderson Research Highlights for May 8, 2025
Study of Türkiye gold mine landslide highlights need for future monitoring
Researchers find new defense against hard-to-treat plant diseases
Characterization of research grant terminations at the National Institutes of Health
New study: high efficiency of severe thalassemia prevention with HTS based carrier screening
AI-designed DNA controls genes in healthy mammalian cells for first time
[Press-News.org] Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studiesResearch from George Mason University College of Public Health faculty found an indirect relationship between internalized gay ageism and older gay men’s sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image, but internalized gay ageism