Antonio, Christine Joyce Anne B. and Reyes, Ceshyr M. (2009) Decreasing sexual expression among middle-aged married women and their sexual relationship with current partners. Undergraduate thesis, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas.

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Abstract

Abstract Name of the Institution : De La Salle University- Dasmariñas Address : Dasmariñas Cavite Title : Decreasing Sexual Expression among Middle-aged Married Women and Their Sexual Relationship with Current Partners Authors : Christine Joyce Anne B. Antonio Ceshyr M. Reyes Funding sources : Parents Cost : 10,000 Php Date Started : June 2008 Date Submitted : March 2009 Objectives of the Study : A. General: To determine the different kinds of sexual expressions of Middle-aged Married Women and the factors behind the decrease of these sexual expressions as well as the decrease of their sexual relationship with their current partners. iv B. Specific: 1. What is the demographic profile of the middle-aged women? (a.) Age (b.) Educational Attainment (c.) Occupation 2. What are the different kinds of Sexual Expressions of Middle-aged Women? 3. What are the factors behind the decrease of sexual expressions? Scope and Limitations The major scope of the study is centered on the sexual expressions of 10 women ages 35-65 in which they are classified as middle-aged women. There is no specific area where the study will be conducted. In this study we will differentiate the kinds of sexual expressions as well as their sexual relationship with their current partners and the factors why it decreases among middle-aged women with partners. v Methodology Research Design This study made use of a descriptive research design because it involved description, recording analysis and interpretation of the sexual expressions among middle aged women and their sexual relationship with current partners. Interview is a meeting in which a writer or reporter obtains information from a person. (Merriam- Webster, 1997) According to Pearson, descriptive method is defined for the investigator to gather information about present existing condition. The main objective of this method is to describe the nature of the situation as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the causes of particular phenomenon (Pearson, 2004). Research Participants The researchers used convenience-sampling method. It is because the researchers were interested in getting an inexpensive approximation of the truth. As the name implies, the sample is selected because they are convenient. The researchers use this non-probability vi method in preliminary research efforts to get a gross estimate of the results, without incurring the cost or time required to select a random sample. The study focused on ten middle aged women, who were purposively chosen in accordance with the following characteristics: must be 35 to 65 years old, must have a partner in life, must admit the fact there is a decrease in their sexual expressions with their current partners. Research Instrument The following instruments and materials were used by the researchers to gather data about the participants and for the actual implementation of the study. Simple survey was used to help the researchers identify who among the participants had decreasing sexual expressions and sexual relationship. The simple survey contained only one question. The participants were asked to check which would best describe their sexual expression and sexual relationship with their current partner, if it was active, decreasing or inactive. Structured interview was used. The interview focused on the following parts: their profile, perception vii regarding the decrease of their sexual expression and the effects of these to their sexual relationship with current partners. Structured interviews are a means of collecting data for a statistical survey. In this case, the data are collected by an interviewer rather than through a selfadministered questionnaire. Interviewers read the questions exactly as they appear on the survey questionnaire. The choice of answers to the questions is often fixed (close-ended) in advance, though open-ended questions can also be included within a structured interview (Wikipedia, 2008). One problem with surveys and interviews is the tendency of participants to answer questions in a way that they think is socially acceptable or desirable rather than telling what they truly think or feel (Nardi, 2003). Research Procedure 1. To be able to get respondents for the study, the researchers asked their friends and acquaintances if they know anyone who belongs to the age level projected. 2. All the respondents who confessed in the simple survey that they are experiencing a decrease in sexual expression and viii relation with their current partners became part of the study. They were be subjected to the interview. 3. Before the interview session, the researchers established rapport with the identified participants. This was needed so that the respondents would feel at ease in answering the questions. The researcher introduced themselves to the subjects and what the study was all about and discussed with them the purpose of the interview. 4. For the interviews, the researchers went to each of the respondents’ home or office depending on where the respondents would like to be interviewed. During the interview proper, the interviewer asked the questions one by one giving all the time for the respondents to answer them fully. ix Plan of Data Analysis The objective was obtained by validating the responses of the interview and the experience of the middle-aged participants regarding decreasing sexual expression and sexual relationship. The statements and experiences related by the participants were recorded and eventually transcribed for a more systematic study. The interview guide questions were open-ended. Findings Based on the respondents’ demographic profile, majority or 4 out of 10 are housewives: Lorna 48 years old, Gina 56 years old, Tess 58 years old, and Sonia 43 years old. On the other hand, Laura 45 years old and Fe 43 years old are both employees. Susie 50 years old is a Bank teller, Lucy 56 years old is a manager, Marie 40 years old is a public school teacher, and Bella 38 years old is a business woman. Their age are ranging from 35-65 years old. For most women, the earliest changes begin when they are in their 30s and continue through the menopause. The years before menopause are commonly referred to as the perimenopause or menopausal transition, which can precede a woman's x final menstrual period by 10 years (Altman, 2006). Susie, Marie, Laura, Fe, Bella, Lucy, and Sonia are all College Graduates, while Lorna, Gina, and Tess are High School Graduate. The most common form of sexual expression and sexual activity that all of the respondents admitted are the non-genital sexual expression (kissing, hugging and endearments, flirting), and the genital sexual expressions (sexual intercourse). The ten respondents mentioned all these non-genital and genital sexual expressions only in different terms like “sweet-talks”, “fun moments together”, “sweet nothings” which all fall under the term “endearment” and “touching”, and “teasing each other” which fall under the term “Flirting”. According to Christenson and Gangson the stereotype nongenital sexual activities (talking, personal appearance, endearments, hugging and kissing) are important in the sexual activities of people but decreases on middle-aged-women. In the same study, they also said that women found all aspects of sexual intercourse important. As to the most identified factor in the decrease of sexual expression and sexual activities of the middle-aged-women, the loss of libido was identified among all of the respondents. While 50% of the respondents admitted that menopausal is one of the factors why their sexual expressions decreased. Like in the case of Susie, Laura, Fe, Lucy, and Tess, which all admitted that they are already in the menopausal stage. According to xi The Philippine Society of Climacteric Medicine (2009), menopause often brings with it a decrease in sexual desire for many women. Menopause is a natural phase in a woman's life that starts between 40 to 45 years old where her ovaries begin to change and function erratically, until it stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. With the changes in the production of hormones also come the different physical changes in her body, like hot flushes, irritability or mood swings, vaginal and skin atrophy, and insomnia. While there are some Filipino women who do not feel any pain when they reach menopause, there are many who have a difficult time getting through this stage. Hence, they seek help from their doctors or try some forms of medication. In the case of Marie, Lorna, and Gina, partner availability has been the reason behind the decrease of their sexual expression and sexual relationship. In the case of Marie and Lorna, They are having Partner Availability problem because their husbands are working hard but still live with them while in the case of Gina, her husband is a seaman so they do not stay together most of the time, unlike Marie and Lorna. However, the very least identified factor is personal well being such as having the insecurities in the changes of their physical appearance due to aging. Like in the case of Sonia, she said, “when I was younger I still had interest in making love, but now I’m old and no longer sexy and beautiful. So there’s always xii that lost to be sweet with my husband. Before I used to be excited with those things, lately that excitement and urge to make love is lessened…” According to Dr. Schlessinger (2009), women are great at attracting the men they want. However, Dr. Laura continues, after a number of years of marriage and children many of these wives become disinterested in sex. As examples, she cites the fact that they act offended when their husbands complain that they never wear sexy lingerie Not only do they stop wearing sexy lingerie but they wear unappealing pajamas, sit on the toilet with the door wide open and do not behave sexy. Conclusion Based on the findings in this study, majority of the middle-aged women are college graduates. Their ages are ranging from 35 to 45 years old with the percentage of fifty percent (50 %) and all of them are married. Most of the respondents are plain housewives. The totality of the respondents (100 %) confessed that kissing, hugging, endearments, and sexual intercourse are their usual sexual expressions with their current partners. All of the ten respondents (100 %) said that one major factor why there is a decrease in their sexual expression is the loss of libido. Based on the result of the structured interview, the researchers concluded that because of the changes during midlife years, the sexual xiii expressions and the sexual relationship of the middle-aged women with their current partners are becoming less intense during middle age. Recommendation Based on the summary and conclusion, the researchers propose massive education for all married women especially the middle-aged women regarding the developmental changes that they will experience particularly concerning sexual relationship (including sexual expression.) Organizations and NGO’s and Mass Media can help.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Additional Information:	PSY 967 2009
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Users:	College of Liberal Arts and Communication > Social Sciences and Humanities
Depositing User:	Users 4 not found.
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2016 00:59
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2021 03:15
URI:	https://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/id/eprint/1275

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