The relationship between negative mood and sexuality in heterosexual college women and men

Abstract

Negative mood states, such as depression and anxiety, are typically associated with decreased sexual interest and arousal. However, there is also some evidence that depressed or anxious mood may increase sexual interest or arousal in some individuals. In this study, 663 female college students (mean age = 18.9 years, SD = 1.21) answered questions regarding the effects of anxious and depressed mood on sexual interest and arousal and completed trait measures of sexual excitation and inhibition, anxiety, and depression. The majority of women reported decreased sexual interest and response when feeling depressed or anxious; a minority (about 10%) of women, however, reported increased sexual interest/response during anxious and depressed mood. This sample of women was compared to a sample of 399 college-aged men. In general, men were more likely than women to report increased sexual interest during negative mood states. Of the variables explored, propensity for sexual excitation was the strongest predictor of the relationship between negative mood and sexuality in women. Individual differences in the effects of negative mood may prove relevant to our understanding of a variety of topics, including risky and compulsive sexual behavior and sexual dysfunction.

Impact of male partner responses on sexual function in women with vulvodynia and their partners: A dyadic daily experience study.

“…Studies have shown that poorer sexual functioning is associated with greater negative mood states including anxiety and depression (Lykins, Janssen, & Graham, 2006), as well as greater partner conflict (Dennerstein, Lehert, Burger, & Dudley, 1999). In sum, each sexual experience is affected by physical, relational, and psychological factors and daily experience measures are better able to capture changes in sexual function across these events.…”

Validation of the Sexual Excitation/Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women and Men

“…In recent years, a body of research based on the Dual Control Model has emerged, including studies using the SIS/SES and studies using the SESII-W. Research has linked propensity for sexual inhibition and sexual excitation to sexual risk-taking , the experience of sexual problems Sanders et al, 2008), sexual orientation (Bancroft, Carnes, Janssen, & Long, 2005;Sanders at el., 2008), and mood (Bancroft, Janssen, Strong, Vukadinovic, & Long, 2003;Lykins, Janssen, & Graham, 2006). The SESII-W/M includes a broad range of factors which can inhibit or enhance sexual arousal, factors which other research has shown to be relevant for both women and men (Graham et al, 2004;Janssen et al, 2008).…”

Associação entre estados afetivos negativos e comportamentos sexuais de risco

“…Contudo, outros autores referem que existem indivíduos com ansiedade elevada e que não experienciam esta diminuição da libido, sugerindo que a experiencia subjetiva deste estado afectivo negativo pode ser reduzida pelo envolvimento no comportamento sexual (Bancroft et al, 2004). Neste contexto, os indivíduos podem-se envolver em atividade sexual por razões de auto-valorização, intimidade e como forma de regular e melhorar o humor (Lykins, Janssen, & Graham, 2006). Existe evidência de que os comportamentos sexuais de risco aumentam com a ansiedade (Bancroft et al, 2004).…”