Female sexual desire and trait-affect: the mediator role of depressed mood

Abstract

Lack of sexual desire has been reported as the most frequent sexual complain in women, and commonly associated to depressed mood. The association between trait-affect, depressed mood and female sexual functioning has been evaluated. However, the mediator role of depressed mood on trait-affect and female sexual desire has not been studied yet. The current study aims to investigate the mediator role of depressed mood in the relationship between trait-affect (positive and negative) and female sexual desire. One-hundred and seventy-one women from the general population participated in the study and completed self-reported measures assessing trait-affect, depressed mood, and sexual desire. Pearson’s correlations showed a significant correlation between trait-affect (positive and negative), depressed mood and female sexual desire. Mediation analyses indicated that depressed mood partially mediate the relationship between positive and negative trait-affect and female sexual desire, with a stronger mediation for positive trait-affect. Current findings support the impact of trait-affect and depressed mood on female sexual desire. Lay summary: Sexual desire problems are highly prevalent among women, and have been associated with depressive symptomatology. This study examined the role between positive and negative affect, depressed mood, and sexual desire in women. The relationship between positive and negative affect and women's sexual desire was partially mediated by depressed mood.