Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as it relates to sexuality in older adults - Research Paper Example

Social scientists have long sought to determine the needs of human beings and the order of importance attached to them. There were many models but the most prominent is that of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs that he illustrated using a pyramid as shown in Figure 1:Figure 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsThe level of human needs in Maslow’s hierarchy is arranged with the most important requirements at the base. Maslow argued that the realization of physiological needs, safety, love and esteem could lead to self-actualization.

Physiological needs represent the most primitive drives without which people cannot survive. The inclusion of air, water, food, excretion, sleep and homeostasis is understandable but many critics have argued that sex should not be included as the absence of the act does not result to severe consequences. Maslow, however, countered by arguing that sex is mandatory for the survival of the species. Aside from the perpetuation of our species, several researches have found that the importance of sex transcends this purpose.

The common thread among these researches is the self-actualization realized thru sexual interaction and satisfaction. In the published study of Susan Sprecher of the Illinois State University involving premarital couples, sex and the satisfaction gained from the act was a major determinant of relationship satisfaction, level of affection and degree of commitment. As people commit sex and gain satisfaction, the quality of the relationship becomes more enduring leading to higher levels of moral values.

In a study involving old Chinese people, Kwong and Kwan (2006) found that a higher level of active composure, general well-being and satisfaction when sexual intercourse is practiced. Sex was found to be instrumental to daily living and would compensate for the depressing effects of inadequate incomes and physical weakness. Another interesting study was that of Walters and Williamson (1998) who examined the importance of sex in people who had undergone amputation in the lower extremities. The study is significant in this paper because the participants were mostly old people.

Results indicated that having sex reduces the feelings of powerlessness and depression associated with the disability. Amputees stated that they felt ‘whole’ again and that they can do anything in the world again. Old people also need a healthy body to overcome depressive tendencies and become positive thinkers. To do this, the immune system of their body should be in an excellent state. Charnetski and Brennan (2004) was able to trace an increase of 30% of Immunoglobulin (A), an important illness-fighting compound, in people who had sex once or twice a week than those who had no sex at all.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Pender and his colleagues (2004) that men ejaculating five times a week were 33% less likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer because this activity is thought to flush out cancer-causing substances through flushing of the seminal fluid. For women, Kliman (2002) found that sexually active women were 1.5 less likely to develop endometriosis, an illness where vaginal lining migrate and grow in the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

This is due to the scraping action of the male reproductive organ during sexual intercourse. Internal vaginal debris is also more likely to be flushed out during periods of orgasms. A longitudinal (5 years) study involving 8000 men in their 40s found that those who had sex twice or more per week were less likely to develop angina and heart attack than those who were abstaining (Medalie and Goldbourt, 1976). A more recent longitudinal study (10 years) by Kotler and his colleagues (2001) affirmed the benefits to the heart of sex as they compared sexual intercourse to a light exercise of walking up the stairs where the activity tones the heart.

Aside from the physical benefits, sex also nurtures feelings of love and affection. In a study involving 3,000 Americans aged 57-85, Lindauet al (2007) it was found that those who were sexually active rated their general well-being better than those who were not. They also found that those sexually active people were either in close relationships or married. Respondents also agreed that they felt loved when they were having sexual intercourse. The sexual experience need not involve penetration.

Brody (2006) conducted a study where participants recorded sex with penetration and non-penetration sexual activity like stroking by a partner and masturbation. While people who had frequent sex with penetration had lower stress levels than those who were not having sex, people who had frequent non-penetration sexual activity were also less stressed than those who did not have sex. Brody attributed these findings to the almost equal surge in production of a hormone called oxytocin which is believed to aid in blood pressure regulation.

In short, an affectionate hug may mean the world to another person. All of these researches highlight the fact that sexual activities can have positive effects on the physical and psychological well-being of people. Old people are set to benefit from sex thus confirming Maslow’s classification of sex as an indispensable human need.Reference:Brody S. (2006). Blood pressure reactivity to stress is better for people who recently had penile-vaginal intercourse than for people who had other or no sexual activity.

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