SEXUALITY WITHIN A RUSSIAN GERIATRIC SAMPLE - A PILOT-STUDY

This paper provides preliminary data on sexual functioning within a sa mple of 19 Russian geriatric respondents who completed selected items from the Starr-Weiner questionnaire assessing areas such as sexual int erest and frequency, sexual dysfunction, and sexual attitudes. All 8 m en and 9 of the women reported being sexually active. Like American se niors, differences in activity appeared to be moderated by gender and over-all physical health. Sexual dysfunction among these Russians was less than that reported by Stem and Stern in 1979. Also, the Russian s eniors reported tolerance toward sexual topics such as homosexuality. Finally, limitations of the present study and research recommendations are mentioned.