Scientists from Florida State University have established a link between men’s depression and their partners’ sexual dissatisfaction. At the same time, wives’ depression was in no way connected with husbands’ intimate satisfaction. The results of the research were published in the journal Journal of Sex & Marriage Therapy.
Sexual satisfaction is associated with both intimate life and relationships between spouses. If either of these two factors is damaged, the person is not satisfied. For example, depression is associated with decreased partner sexual satisfaction, especially in middle-aged and older couples. This can cause anxiety.
In the new study, the researchers wanted to find out how one partner’s mental state and sexual satisfaction affect the same indicators in the other. More than 100 couples participated in the study. All volunteers provided demographic data and were also assessed for depression, anxiety, and stress levels. They also shared information about intimate life with scientists.
The analysis showed that higher levels of depression in husbands were associated with lower levels of sexual satisfaction in their wives. However, wives’ depression was not associated with their husbands’ satisfaction. Neither anxiety nor stress had similar effects.