Maggie L. Syme|Tracy J. Cohn|Jessica L. Barnack?Tavlaris
A Comparison of Actual and Perceived Sexual Risk Among Older Adults
Kansas State University|Radford University|College of New Jersey
sexual risk among older adults oas prevalent though little known accuracy sexual risk perceptions thus aim determine accuracy sexual risk perceptions among oas examining concordance selfreported sexual risk behaviors perceived risk data oas aged 50 92 collected via amazoncoms mechanical turk frequency sexual risk behaviors past six months reported along perceived risk namely sexually transmitted infection sti susceptibility accuracy categories accurate underestimated overestimated established based disconcordance risk levels low moderate high perceived risk susceptible somewhat susceptible susceptible approximately half sample reported engaging vaginal 49 andor oral sex 43 without condom past six months however approximately twothirds sample indicated susceptible stis relationship found risk behaviors risk perceptions approximately half 481 oas sample underestimated risk accuracy found decrease sexual risk level increased 931 highrisk oas underestimating risk several sexual risk behaviors prevalent among oas particularly men however perception risk often inaccurate warrants attention