Perceived Caregiving Trajectories and their Relationship with Caregivers' Burdens and Gains.

The study explores the meanings that family caregivers of people with dementia ascribe to the past, present, and future of their role as a caregiver, and how their integration into caregiving trajectories is related to caregivers' burdens and gains. The sample was made up of 197 family caregivers (Mage = 62.1, SD = 12.3, 70.1% females). They completed three incomplete sentences regarding their past, present, and future caring role, the Zarit Burden Interview and the Gains Associated with Caregiving scale. Sentence completions were content analyzed, and the associations between the resulting trajectories and burdens and gains were studied by means of a one-way ANOVA. Caregivers differed in the meanings ascribed to past, present, and future of their role. Stable-negative (M = 43.6, SD = 13.3), regressive (M = 43.3, SD = 12.7), and present-enhancing (M = 37.4, SD = 13.7) trajectories showed higher levels of burdens than progressive (M = 31.3, SD = 12.3) and/or stable-positive trajectories (M = 26.1, SD = 13.7). Progressive trajectories (M = 38.9, SD = 15.7) were related to more gains than regressive trajectories (M = 28.6, SD = 12.7). Family caregivers' evaluations of their past, present, and future are not only important separately, but their combination into caregiving trajectories is also relevant. Such trajectories might be relevant when designing interventions to help caregivers reduce their burden levels and increase the benefits ascribed to their experience. The most adaptive trajectory identified was the progressive one, whereas the regressive trajectory was the most dysfunctional.

Perceived Caregiving Trajectories and their Relationship with Caregivers’ Burdens and Gains

The study explores the meanings that family caregivers of people with dementia ascribe to the past, present, and future of their role as a caregiver, and how their integration into caregiving trajectories is related to caregivers’ burdens and gains. The sample was made up of 197 family caregivers (M age = 62.1, SD = 12.3, 70.1% females). They completed three incomplete sentences regarding their past, present, and future caring role, the Zarit Burden Interview and the Gains Associated with Caregiving scale. Sentence completions were content analyzed, and the associations between the resulting trajectories and burdens and gains were studied by means of a one-way ANOVA. Caregivers differed in the meanings ascribed to past, present, and future of their role. Stable-negative (M = 43.6, SD = 13.3), regressive (M = 43.3, SD = 12.7), and present-enhancing (M = 37.4, SD = 13.7) trajectories showed higher levels of burdens than progressive (M = 31.3, SD = 12.3) and/or stable-positive trajectories (M = 26.1, SD = 13.7). Progressive trajectories (M = 38.9, SD = 15.7) were related to more gains than regressive trajectories (M = 28.6, SD = 12.7). Family caregivers’ evaluations of their past, present, and future are not only important separately, but their combination into caregiving trajectories is also relevant. Such trajectories might be relevant when designing interventions to help caregivers reduce their burden levels and increase the benefits ascribed to their experience. The most adaptive trajectory identified was the progressive one, whereas the regressive trajectory was the most dysfunctional. (AU)

'I do it my way': long-term care staff's perceptions of residents' sexual needs and suggestions for improvement in their management.

This study is aimed at exploring to what extent staff perceive older residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) as still having sexual needs, and how they think care in relation to sexual issues could be improved. The sample was self-selected and comprised 2115 staff members (including managers, technical and care assistants) employed at 152 Spanish LTCFs. Data were collected in the second half of 2016. Participants were asked to estimate the proportion of older residents who had sexual needs in their institution and, by means of open-ended questions, they were also asked about how they satisfied such needs and how to improve care in relation to sexual issues. Responses to the open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis. Differences were assessed according to participants' work position. Results showed that most participants did not see sexual needs as being present in many (or even any) older people living in LTCFs. Masturbation was the most common way staff thought residents' sexual needs were being satisfied. The participants mentioned a broad range of measures to improve care regarding sexual issues, including providing more training opportunities for staff, guaranteeing privacy and improving negative attitudes held by family, residents or staff members. Work position influenced participants' responses: managers and technical staff were more likely to recognise sexual needs among residents, perceived a greater need for training, and proposed more ambitious and far-reaching improvements than care assistants.

Sexual harassment from older residents at long-term care facilities: is it really part of the job?

OBJECTIVES: To explore the extent to which staff members in long-term care facilities (LTCF) have experienced situations of sexual harassment, how they commonly and ideally manage the situation, and how their work position influences their responses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional quantitative study, using the vignette technique. METHOD: A total of 2,196 staff-members who were currently working in Spanish LTCF participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Questions regarding sexual harassment were analysed by a vignette that described a case of sexual harassment. Participants had to choose common and best practices for dealing with the case, and report the frequency with which they had experienced similar situations. RESULTS: The results indicate that 29.9% of participants had experienced an episode of sexual harassment in a LTCF similar to the one presented in the vignette. Responses to the situation were diverse and there were significant differences between common and perceived best practices. Differences were also found depending on the work position of the participant (manager, technical staff or nursing assistant). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for a fuller recognition of the sexual needs of older people. However, the presence of inappropriate sexual behavior must also be acknowledged. The right of staff to work in an environment free of harassment must be respected. The need for explicit institutional guidelines and training opportunities is discussed.

Staff responses to residents exposing their genitals in public in long-term care settings: The gap between common and perceived best practices.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore staff reactions to residents' behaviour consisting in exposing their genitals in public, and to differentiate between what is perceived as common practice (what most staff do) and best practice (the best possible approach). BACKGROUND: The presence of inappropriate sexual behaviours (ISBs) in long-term care facilities poses practical and ethical dilemmas since they may impinge on the rights of others (staff and residents) and thus need to be adequately monitored and managed. However, no studies have focused on how staff handle ISBs, and particularly exposing oneself in public. METHODS: A total of 2,175 people working in 152 Spanish LTC facilities participated in the study. They were presented with a vignette describing a resident exposing his/her genitals in public, and they were asked what they think most of their workmates would do and what they think should be done in that situation. The STROBE checklist was used to enhance the quality and transparency of the research. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of participants (32.4%) reported having experienced behaviours such as the one described in the vignette. Staff reactions underline the predominance of restrictive practices. However, if prompted to think in terms of best practice, supportive reactions increased in frequency. Finally, factors such as work position have an influence on perceived common and best practices, with care assistants generally holding more restrictive views than directors or technical staff. CONCLUSIONS: Around one-third of staff members, and particularly those in managerial or technical positions, had witnessed residents exposing their genitals in public. However, there is no common ground among staff regarding the best way to handle the situation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our findings stress the importance of organisational policies and workplace training in the management of challenging behaviours such as exposing oneself.

Expresión sexual y regulación de la sexualidad en residencias de personas mayores / Sexual expression and sexuality regulation in Spanish long-term care homes for the elderly

Objetivos: El estudio tenía tres objetivos: (1) determinar la frecuencia con la que profesionales que trabajan en residencias de mayores estiman diversos comportamientos sexuales de los residentes; (2) cuantificar la presencia en esas instituciones de medidas y procedimientos destinados a garantizar los derechos sexuales de los mayores; y (3) determinar los factores que predicen la mayor o menor presencia de esas medidas. Material y métodos: Ciento sesenta directores de residencia y personal de gestión, y 623 técnicos contestaron un cuestionario autoadministrado que incluía preguntas sobre la frecuencia con la que se daban ciertos comportamientos sexuales en su residencia, un inventario para valorar la implementación de medidas para favorecer la expresión sexual y la versión española del Person-centered Care Assessment Tool. Resultados: Ciertos comportamientos sexuales, como los besos y abrazos o la masturbación son muy frecuentes en las residencias de mayores. Muchos participantes habían presenciado comportamientos sexuales inapropiados, como el exhibicionismo (39%) o los tocamientos a profesionales (27%). Las normas dirigidas a garantizar los derechos sexuales de los residentes fueron las medidas más presentes en las residencias, mientras que las relacionadas con la formación e información, o con la disponibilidad de recursos y materiales facilitadores, lo eran mucho menos. Los directores y personal de gestión eran mucho más optimistas respecto a la presencia de estas normas que los técnicos. Una mayor implementación en la residencia de modelos ACP se relacionaba con una mayor presencia de regulación respecto a la sexualidad. Conclusión: Aunque en las residencias de mayores los comportamientos sexuales son relativamente frecuentes, existe un gran margen de mejora para la implementación de medidas que garanticen y tengan en cuenta la expresión sexual de los residentes. Los modelos de atención centrada en la persona pueden ayudar a preservar los derechos sexuales de las personas que viven en residencias

Objectives The study had three objectives: (a) To determine how staff perceives the frequency of different sexual expressions in long-term care facilities for older people; (2) to quantify policies aimed at guaranteeing residents' sexual rights in such institutions, and (3) to determine factors influencing the presence of these kind of policies. Methods A total of 160 Directors of Nursing and 623 technical staff from Spanish long term care residential facilities completed a self-administered questionnaire including ítems to assess the experience and estimated frequency of different sexual expressions, an inventory of policies regarding sexual expression, and the Spanish version of the Person-Centred Care Assessment Tool. Results Certain sexual behaviours, such as kisses and hugs, or masturbation, are very frequent in nursing homes. Many participants have reported to staff members on having witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviours, such as exhibitionism (39%) or unwanted touching (27%). Policies in relation to guaranteeing residents' sexual rights were the most frequently mentioned. In contrast, there were fewer participants who mentioned policies regarding training or availability of helpful materials and resources. Factors such as occupational level (Directors of Nursing vs.technical staff), personal education, the centre commitment to person-centred care, and estimated frequency of sexual behaviour were associated with a higher presence of sexual expression policies. Conclusion Although sexual behaviours among residents are quite frequent, there is still room for improvement in policies that support residents' expression of sexuality. Person-centred care models might help to guarantee sexual rights of older people living in long-term care facilities

Disclosing a LGB Sexual Identity When Living in an Elderly Long-Term Care Facility: Common and Best Practices.

This study aims at exploring staff perceptions of common and best practices toward a situation in which an older resident discloses their non-heterosexual sexual identity, differentiating between gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. A total of 2,254 staff members from 96 Spanish long-term care facilities took part in the study. They were asked about what they think most of their workmates would do and what they think should be done in a situation in which an older resident discloses his/her non-heterosexual sexual orientation. The results indicate that, in general, staff's attitudes to non-heterosexual older residents' disclosure of their sexual identity are quite tolerant and open. However, differences in staff perceptions of common and best practices indicate that there is still potential for improvement. Results underline that factors such as residents' sexual identity (and particularly, bisexuality), generation, professional position, and the prevailing model of care influence staff responses.

[Sexual expression and sexuality regulation in Spanish long-term care homes for the elderly]. / Expresión sexual y regulación de la sexualidad en residencias de personas mayores.

OBJECTIVES: The study had three objectives: (a) To determine how staff perceives the frequency of different sexual expressions in long-term care facilities for older people; (2) to quantify policies aimed at guaranteeing residents' sexual rights in such institutions, and (3) to determine factors influencing the presence of these kind of policies. METHODS: A total of 160 Directors of Nursing and 623 technical staff from Spanish long term care residential facilities completed a self-administered questionnaire including ítems to assess the experience and estimated frequency of different sexual expressions, an inventory of policies regarding sexual expression, and the Spanish version of the Person-Centred Care Assessment Tool. RESULTS: Certain sexual behaviours, such as kisses and hugs, or masturbation, are very frequent in nursing homes. Many participants have reported to staff members on having witnessed inappropriate sexual behaviours, such as exhibitionism (39%) or unwanted touching (27%). Policies in relation to guaranteeing residents' sexual rights were the most frequently mentioned. In contrast, there were fewer participants who mentioned policies regarding training or availability of helpful materials and resources. Factors such as occupational level (Directors of Nursing vs.technical staff), personal education, the centre commitment to person-centred care, and estimated frequency of sexual behaviour were associated with a higher presence of sexual expression policies. CONCLUSION: Although sexual behaviours among residents are quite frequent, there is still room for improvement in policies that support residents' expression of sexuality. Person-centred care models might help to guarantee sexual rights of older people living in long-term care facilities.

Staff's reactions towards partnered sexual expressions involving people with dementia living in long-term care facilities.

AIMS: To explore staff responses, in terms of common practices, towards partnered sexual relationships in long-term care facilities where one or both people involved have dementia. It also tries to determine personal and institutional factors influencing these responses. BACKGROUND: Although some studies, mostly qualitative, have focused on reactions to residents' sexual expressions so far the issue has not been assessed in a study using large and diverse samples. DESIGN: Cross-sectional quantitative study using vignette technique. METHODS: Participants were 2,295 staff members at 152 Spanish long-term care facilities. Data were collected during 2016. A vignette describing sexual situations involving people with dementia was presented to participants. After the vignette, participants had to answer the question: "What do you think most of your colleagues would do in this situation?" with nine possible responses. RESULTS: Results showed that relationships involving persons with dementia were perceived as potentially problematic by staff. In both conditions, discussing the case with a colleague or supervisor was the most frequently chosen reaction. More restrictive reactions were mentioned when only one person with dementia was involved in the relationship. Factors such as participants" age and years of experience, professional post and commitment to person-centred care practices were related with the frequency of common restriction practices. CONCLUSION: Results highlight the importance of providing staff with clear guidelines regarding the management of specific sexual situations to avoid stereotyped restrictive reactions.

Staff members' perceived training needs regarding sexuality in residential aged care facilities.

The purpose of the article is to ascertain if staff members of residential aged care facilities (RACF) perceive the need for training regarding residents' sexuality, and what, if any, benefits from the training were perceived, and to compare perceived benefits of training between care assistants and professional/managerial staff. Interviews were conducted with 53 staff members of five different RACF in Spain. Their responses to two semistructured questions were transcribed verbatim and submitted to content analysis. Results show that most interviewees said they lacked training about sexuality and aging. Two potential highlighted benefits of the training are knowledge/attitudinal (countering negative attitudes regarding sexuality) and procedural (developing common protocols and tools to manage situations related to sexuality). Care assistants and professional staff agreed on the need for training, though the former emphasized the procedural impact and the latter the knowledge/attitudinal benefits. The results suggest that RACF staff should have an opportunity to receive training on residents' sexuality, as sexual interest and behavior is a key dimension of residents' lives.

Development of a measure to evaluate gains among spanish dementia caregivers: The gains associated with caregiving (GAC) scale.

BACKGROUND: The study is aimed at developing a new measure devised to evaluate gains associated with caregiving for a person with dementia. METHODS: We conducted two studies with Spanish informal caregivers. In Study 1 a total of 152 participants responded to a preliminary set of 62 items referred to gains related with caregiving. After exploring their psychometric properties, we studied its factor structure, concurrent validity, and internal consistency reliability by means of, respectively, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), its correlation with the similar measures, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. In Study 2 we undertook a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to obtain further evidence regarding the scale dimensionality and we studied its construct validity by calculating its correlations with the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form (GDS-SF), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: The final version of the Gains Associated with Caregiving (GAC) scale comprised 22 items, all of which seemed to belong to the same factor according to both the EFA and the CFA. The correlation between the GAC scale and similar measures was statistically significant and strong, and the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.95. Statistically significant correlations in the expected direction were found between the GAC and the ZBI, the GDS-SF, and the SWLS. CONCLUSIONS: The high internal consistency of the GAC scale, and its adequate concurrent and construct validity suggest that it is a suitable instrument for evaluating gains among Spanish informal dementia caregivers.

Staff attitudes and reactions towards residents' masturbation in Spanish long-term care facilities.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore staff attitudes and reactions towards masturbation in long-term care facilities. BACKGROUND: Staff attitudes and reactions towards the expression of sexuality in long-term care facilities may be influenced by the nature of the sexual behaviour being expressed. Staff attitudes towards masturbation, a common sexual behaviour in such settings, have gone largely unexplored so far. DESIGN: An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research design. METHODS: Fifty-three staff members working in five different long-term care facilities participated in the study. They were asked about what they would think, how they would react, and what possible reactions they might expect from workmates if they entered a room and found a resident masturbating. RESULTS: The majority of participants considered that masturbation was acceptable and avoiding interference was by far the most common reaction, although other reactions also arose. When asked about reactions attributed to workmates, mentions to reprimanding the resident and gossiping/joking about the issue were more frequent than acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: The discrepancy between professionals' own reported attitudes and those attributed to workmates suggests the existence of widespread negative reactions towards sexual activity in later life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In the light of these results, we underline the necessity of developing explicit policies regarding sexual issues. Formal training offered to staff would also help to recognise and preserve resident's sexual rights and needs.

Staff Reactions Toward Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual (LGB) People Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) Who Actively Disclose Their Sexual Orientation.

Fifty-three staff members currently working in residential aged care facilities located in Barcelona, Spain, were asked about the way they would react if a resident told them that he or she felt sexually attracted and had maintained sexual relationships with another resident of the same gender. Acceptance of non-heterosexual sexual orientation was a frequent answer, and around one in four professionals stated that they would try helping the resident in question, by offering a private space or giving some emotional support. However, some reactions were not consistent with a respectful approach toward sexual diversity, as, for instance, informing the resident's family or advising the resident to keep his or her sexual orientation hidden. We highlight the importance of developing formal policies and offering formal training to staff in order to address the specific needs of older LGB people living in RACFs.

What Happens in Their Bedrooms Stays in Their Bedrooms: Staff and Residents' Reactions Toward Male-Female Sexual Intercourse in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

This study aimed to investigate and compare the reactions of staff and residents of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) toward male-female sexual intercourse taking place in a private space within the facility. A total of 53 professionals and 47 residents from five RACFs located in Catalonia, Spain, were asked to reflect upon what they would think and do if they entered the bedroom of a resident and found him or her having sex with another resident of the opposite gender. The results suggest that male-female partnered sexual activity would generally be considered acceptable and would be respected, although some respondents called into question the appropriateness of such behavior and stated that they would react in a restrictive way. Overall, professionals appeared to be more accepting and permissive than were residents. Although our findings are broadly optimistic, they also suggest that male-female sexual intercourse may be considered an unwelcome sexual practice by some residents and professionals even if it occurs in a private space within the RACF. The fact that both staff and residents may also react in a negative way to the event could constitute a barrier to sexual expression among institutionalized older people.

As Long as They Keep Away From Me: Attitudes Toward Non-heterosexual Sexual Orientation Among Residents Living in Spanish Residential Aged Care Facilities.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this article is to shed light on the attitudes of older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) toward non-heterosexual sexual orientation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-seven residents living in 5 RACFs located in Catalonia (Spain) were interviewed in relation to the way they would think and react if another resident told them he/she felt sexually attracted to people of the same gender and that he/she had maintained sexual relationships with another man/woman in the home, and whether they would have any problem in sharing common spaces or a room with this resident. RESULTS: Most residents expressed some kind of negative reaction ranging from staying away from the resident in question to extreme rejection, although positive and neutral reactions also emerged. Participants were far more reluctant to share a room with that resident than to share common spaces. IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of homophobic attitudes among older people living in RACFs seems to be high. This may be a barrier for LGB residents, making the expression of their sexual identity more difficult and leading to discriminatory practices.

Regulación de la expresión sexual de los mayores ingresados en residencias: la visión de los profesionales / Regulation of sexual expression in residential aged care facilities: a professional point of view

Introducción. El objetivo de este estudio es explorar la opinión que tienen los profesionales que trabajan en residencias sobre la regulación de la sexualidad en dichas instituciones. Material y métodos. Un total de 53 profesionales de 5 residencias del área metropolitana de Barcelona respondieron sobre si convenía regular la sexualidad en las residencias, los agentes que deberían contribuir a tal efecto y los aspectos que dicha regulación debería contemplar. Resultados. Alrededor del 50% de los participantes reconocieron la conveniencia de disponer de algún mecanismo para regular la sexualidad en las residencias que, de acuerdo con sus respuestas, debería ser elaborado teniendo en cuenta la opinión de los profesionales, pero también la de los residentes y la de sus familiares. Las normas aconsejables más mencionadas fueron garantizar que cualquier situación de tipo sexual ocurriera en un entorno privado y el desarrollo de estrategias para diferenciar a aquellas personas con demencia que pueden dar su consentimiento sexual de las que no. Conclusiones. La opinión de los profesionales que trabajan en residencias sobre la conveniencia de establecer mecanismos de regulación de la sexualidad parece estar bastante dividida. Así, mientras aproximadamente la mitad de ellos reconoce la potencial utilidad de tales mecanismos, la otra mitad los considera innecesarios o incluso perjudiciales para la libertad sexual de los residentes. La asociación de regulación a prohibición, y de sexualidad a práctica sexual fue común entre las respuestas de los participantes (AU)

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to determine the opinion of professionals working in residential aged care facilities on the regulation of sexuality in these settings. Materials and methods. Fifty-three professionals from five residential aged care facilities located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona answered several questions regarding the advisability of establishing measures for the regulation of sexuality in RACFs, the elements that could contribute to this, and the aspects that such regulations should consider. Results. Around 50% of the participants recognized the advisability of having some type of measures for sexuality regulation in residential aged care facilities. According to their responses this should be developed taking into account professional opinions, but also the points of view of the residents and their relatives. The most frequently mentioned regulations were those that ensured that any kind of sexually charged situation occurred in a private environment. The development of strategies are suggested to distinguish those people with dementia that are competent to consent to sexual acts from those who are not. Conclusions. The opinion of professionals working in RACFs regarding the advisability of establishing measures for sexuality regulation seems to be considerably divided. Thus, whilst around 50% of them recognize their potential usefulness, the other half consider them unnecessary or even counterproductive for the sexual freedom of residents. Associating regulation with prohibition and sexuality with sexual activity was not uncommon among the responses of the participants (AU)

[Regulation of sexual expression in residential aged care facilities: A professional point of view]. / Regulación de la expresión sexual de los mayores ingresados en residencias: la visión de los profesionales.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to determine the opinion of professionals working in residential aged care facilities on the regulation of sexuality in these settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three professionals from five residential aged care facilities located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona answered several questions regarding the advisability of establishing measures for the regulation of sexuality in RACFs, the elements that could contribute to this, and the aspects that such regulations should consider. RESULTS: Around 50% of the participants recognized the advisability of having some type of measures for sexuality regulation in residential aged care facilities. According to their responses this should be developed taking into account professional opinions, but also the points of view of the residents and their relatives. The most frequently mentioned regulations were those that ensured that any kind of sexually charged situation occurred in a private environment. The development of strategies are suggested to distinguish those people with dementia that are competent to consent to sexual acts from those who are not. CONCLUSIONS: The opinion of professionals working in RACFs regarding the advisability of establishing measures for sexuality regulation seems to be considerably divided. Thus, whilst around 50% of them recognize their potential usefulness, the other half consider them unnecessary or even counterproductive for the sexual freedom of residents. Associating regulation with prohibition and sexuality with sexual activity was not uncommon among the responses of the participants.

Barriers to sexual expression in residential aged care facilities (RACFs): comparison of staff and residents' views.

AIM: To explore and compare the views of both staff and residents about barriers to sexual expression in residential aged care facilities. BACKGROUND: Although remaining sexually active in older age helps to preserve and promote well-being, the percentage of sexually active persons living in residential aged care facilities is low. Previous research has identified several barriers to sexual expression in such settings. Most of this research has focused on staff perceptions, neglecting the residents' perspective. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Fifty-three staff members and 47 older people living in five residential aged care facilities were interviewed. They were asked about barriers to sexual expression in residential settings. Data were analysed using content analysis, aimed at identifying common ideas in the responses. Data were collected over 7 months in 2012. RESULTS: About 40% of the residents subsample did not identify any barrier to sexual expression, although all other participants identified at least one. The most oft-cited barriers were lack of privacy, residents' attitudes and lack of communication about sexuality. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of residents were unable to identify or mention barriers to sexual expression. Generational factors and group pressure could affect residents' attitudes towards sexuality.

Tell me your life: including life stories in an adult development and aging course.

The goals of this study were to determine the learning impact of an assignment that consisted of interviewing and analyzing older people's life stories, and to explore how the assignment was evaluated by students. Participants in the study were 122 first-year social education students enrolled in an adult development and aging course. They evaluated the assignment using an eight-adjective questionnaire and were asked about the benefits of the task. Their answers to the questionnaire were then reviewed using content analysis. The results indicated that marks on the life story assignment predicted marks on an exam about basic course concepts. Students considered that the assignment was interesting, useful, and integrated into the course, although most of them also thought that it was very time-consuming. They identified benefits related to the explicit goals of the course (improvement in the learning of developmental concepts, the acquisition of research-related skills, and the deactivation of aging stereotypes) and personal, growth-related benefits. The authors discuss the difficulties posed by the assignment and its usefulness as a complement to more traditional, lecture-based teaching methods in adult development and aging courses.