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Sex is a significant factor in happiness among married older men
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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The more often married older adults have sex, the more likely they are to be satisfied with their lives and marriages, according to a new study presented by the Gerontological Society of America at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of America (GSA) in Boston.
This conclusion is based on social research, including a public opinion survey conducted on a nationally representative sample of people aged 18 and older living in the United States.
Studying the link between sex and happiness will help scientists develop and implement specific sexual health interventions for this growing segment of the world's population.
In a survey of 238 respondents aged 65 and older, researchers found that the frequency of sexual activity was a strong predictor of their overall and marital happiness, even after accounting for factors such as age, gender, health and financial status.
While only 40% of individuals who reported no sexual activity in the past 12 months said they were satisfied with their lives overall, nearly 60% of those who were sexually active more than once a month said they were happy. Similarly, nearly 59% of individuals who reported no sexual activity in the past 12 months said they were satisfied with their marriage. Nearly 80% of people who had sex more than once a month said they were happy in their marriage.
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