Samantha J Dawson 1 , Nathan D Leonhardt 2 , Emily A Impett 2 , Natalie O Rosen 1,3 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
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. © Society of Behavioral Medicine 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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. © Society of Behavioral Medicine 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Entities: Chemical
Keywords:
Actor–partner interdependence model; Postpartum depressive symptoms; Sexual distress; Sexual dysfunction; Sexual health; Transition to parenthood
Mesh： See more »
Year: 2021
PMID： 33449076 DOI： 10.1093/abm/kaaa117
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Ann Behav Med ISSN： 0883-6612