Associations Between Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Couples’ Sexual Function and Sexual Distress Trajectories Across the Transition to Parenthood
| Autor: | Nathan D. Leonhardt, Natalie O. Rosen, Samantha J. Dawson, Emily A. Impett |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
Postpartum depression
050103 clinical psychology Sexual Behavior Mothers Depression Postpartum 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Pregnancy medicine Humans 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences General Psychology Reproductive health 030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine Depression business.industry Postpartum Period 05 social sciences medicine.disease Psychiatry and Mental health Distress Sexual Partners Sexual dysfunction Mood Sex life Female medicine.symptom Sexual function business Clinical psychology |
| Zdroj: | Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 55:879-891 |
| ISSN: | 1532-4796 0883-6612 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/abm/kaaa117 |
| Popis: | Background The transition to parenthood is associated with changes to new parents’ mood and sexual health. Sexual dysfunction—problems with sexual function accompanied by sexual distress (i.e., worries and concerns about one’s sex life)—is linked to poorer overall health, yet few studies have examined how sexual dysfunction unfolds for couples during this transition. Postpartum depression is a risk factor for sexual dysfunction; however, the association between depressive symptoms and how postpartum sexual dysfunction evolves has not been examined. Purpose To establish trajectories of sexual function and sexual distress for mothers and partners and to examine if postpartum depressive symptoms were associated with these trajectories. Methods Data were collected from 203 first-time parent couples from midpregnancy until 12-months postpartum. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed at six time points (two prenatal) and depressive symptoms were assessed at 3-months postpartum. Results Dyadic latent piece-wise growth curve models revealed significant declines in mothers’ and partners’ sexual function between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and significant improvements from 3- to 12-months postpartum. Mothers’ sexual distress increased between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and decreased thereafter, whereas partner’s sexual distress remained stable. Depressive symptoms were associated with poorer sexual function and higher sexual distress at 3-months postpartum for both partners but did not predict change over time. Conclusions Mothers and their partners experience changes to their sexual function during the transition to parenthood; however, mothers are at greater risk of sexual dysfunction. Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for poorer sexual health at 3-months postpartum for both parents. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|