Sexual well-being (SWB) has been an ignored dimension that may contribute to successful aging.

To analyze SWB in older adults’ perspective, to investigate the latent constructs that can work as major determinants in SWB and to examine the potential explanatory mechanisms of a SWB overall model, in an older cross-national sample.

Measures were completed, using a variety of appropriate methods, including demographics and interviews. Complete data were available for 163 older adults aged between 65–97 years (M = 74.2; SD = 4.743). Data were subjected to content analysis. Representation of the associations and latent constructs were analyzed by a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA).

The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for SWB was ‘affection and care’ (11.0%). A three-dimension model formed by ‘intimacy and well-being’, ‘care, eroticism and desire’, and ‘sexual activity and health’ was presented as a best-fit solution for German older adults. SWB for Portuguese older adults were explained by a three-factor model: ‘intimacy, health and desire’, ‘affection and well-being’ and ‘sexual activity’.

The outcomes presented in this paper emphasized the need to explore the indicators of SWB among older adults and the under-developed potential of a SWB overall model for the older population.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.