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. 2020 Jan 29;17(3):841.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17030841.

Association between Sexual Satisfaction and Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults

Rodrigo J Carcedo  1 , Noelia Fernández-Rouco  2 , Andrés A Fernández-Fuertes  2 , José Luis Martínez-Álvarez  1
Affiliations

Association between Sexual Satisfaction and Depression and Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults

Rodrigo J Carcedo et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The role of sexual satisfaction in adolescents and young adults' mental health has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this work is to study differences in sexual satisfaction and mental health (anxiety and depression) based on romantic relationship status (having a partner vs. not having one) and gender. Likewise, the association between sexual satisfaction and mental health and the moderating effect of romantic relationship status and gender was addressed in this research. A total of 1682 Spanish adolescents (14-17) and young adults (18-29) agreed to participate in this cross-sectional investigation. Two-factor ANOVA and MANOVA, and hierarchical regression models were utilized in this study. In general, results showed more difficulties in sexual satisfaction and mental health for those not in a current relationship and for women. Additionally, higher levels of sexual satisfaction was associated with lower levels of anxiety for adolescents and lower levels of depression for young adults. These associations were stronger for those in a current relationship. This study highlights the importance of sexual satisfaction as a modifying factor against mental health problems, especially in the context of a current romantic relationship.

Keywords: adolescents; mental health; romantic relationships; sexual satisfaction; young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sexual satisfaction × romantic relationship status interaction predicting mental health: (a) anxiety for adolescents; (b) depression for young adults.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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