The association of an open relationship orientation with health and happiness in a sample of older US adults

Research shows that increased sexual activity is strongly associated with better

health outcomes and greater personal happiness (Karraker, DeLamater, & Schwartz,

2011; Lindau & Gavrilova, 2010; Lindau et al., 2007; Whipple et al., 2007). This is true

among older adults especially men where declining sexual frequency has been shown to be correlated with negative health (Laumann et al., 2004), increased risk of car-

diovascular problems (Hall, Shackelton, Rosen, & Araujo, 2010), higher rates of depres-

sion (Ganong & Larson, 2011), and diminished general happiness (Laumann, Paik, &

Rosen, 1999).