A recent study conducted in Melbourne Australia found that women suffering from mild to moderate depression are have three times more sex than their mentally well counterparts. They are also more likely to have “more sexually liberated attitudes, a bigger variety of sexual experiences and, if single, were more likely to partake in casual sex” as stated by the study author Dr. Sabura Allen, a clinical psychologist at Monash University. She proposed that depressed women tend to feel less secure about their relationships, and engage in “more of everything,” from kissing to intercourse, in an effort to feel more secure, connected and loved. Dr. Allen interviewed 107 depressed and non-depressed women in relationships for the study.

If they really are having more sex, the question remains why aren’t depressed women receiving any lasting mood benefits from this increased sexual activity? Recent findings (Burleson, Trevathan, & Todd 2007) with an American population show that sexual activity on a certain day results in increased positive mood and deceased negative mood the following day. We also know that the orgasm is associated with release of certain feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones (Mah, Binik, 2001). If these chemical reactions were to occur frequently over time, wouldn’t there be some benefit just through biology alone? Dr. Allen’s paper comes out soon in a British medical journal, and I am curious to find out if questions about orgasm and relationship satisfaction were asked and applied to her findings.

Of course, we aren’t defined by just our biology. My colleagues tell me that we have to take motivations into account, and looking at sex motives highlights differences in overall well-being. Avoidance sexual motivation relates negatively with well-being and is detrimental to relationship maintenance. Only approach sexual motivation related positively with personal and relationship well-being (Impett, Peplau, Gable, 2005). So, by extension, the theory is that if depressed women are having sex in order to avoid the pain of depression and worried about a break-up (and not based on their drive for sex or to engage with the partner), they may gain momentary physical pleasure but ultimately lose out in relationship satisfaction- thereby continuing their depression and avoidance cycle.

Can women in relationships be simultaneously depressed and approach-oriented toward sex? If so, do they receive benefits that could alleviate their depression? It’s questions like these that highlight the importance of funding sex research both here and abroad.

Further Reading:

Burleson, M., Trevathan, W. R., and Todd, M. (2007). In the mood for love or vice versa? Exploring the relations among sexual activity, physical affection, affect and stress in the daily lives of mid-aged women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36, p. 357-368

Impett, E., and Peplau, L. & Gable, S. (2005). Approach and avoidance sexual motives: Implications for personal and interpersonal well-being. Personal Relationships, 12, p. 465-482.

Mah, K, & Binik, Y. M. (2001). The nature of human orgasm: A critical review of major trends. Clinical Psychology Review, 21, p. 823-856.