QUALITIES MIDLIFE WOMEN DESIRE IN THEIR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR CHANGING SEXUAL-RESPONSE

The present study focused on the association between the particular se xual qualities midlife women desired in themselves and their husbands and the changes in sexual response they were experiencing. In a U.S. s ample of 280 women participating in the ongoing Midlife Women's Health Survey, 40% reported a change in their sexual response, more often as decrements than increases, although desiring more nongenital touching was frequently noted. Respondents wanted more change in their own tha n in their partners' sexual qualities. In addition, the desire to chan ge sexual qualities in oneself and in one's husband was significantly related to many changes in sexual responsivity. These findings are dis cussed in the context of a woman-defined sexuality at midlife.